Costume and Textiles Girl's Trained Dress and Bust Pads Made in United States, North and Central Americac. 1868-69 Artist/maker unknown, American. Worn by Martha Rebecca Griffith, American, 1867 - 1870. Dress: Printed wool twill, silk velvet ribbon, cotton machine-made Valenciennes lace, velvet-covered buttons with metal band, wool twill tape binding; Pads: glazed cotton plain weave with cotton stuffing * Costume and Textiles Study Gallery, Perelman Building, second floor 2001-29-1a--c Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Hughes, Jr., 2001 |
LabelMartha Griffith wore this very unusual dress when she was about two years old. It is a perfect miniature version of a typical adult woman’s day dress of the 1860s—not a party dress or costume. It’s not known why Martha’s parents chose to dress her like a grown-up, complete with a trained skirt and even small pads to fill out the bodice’s double darts.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
