Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Dress, Wedding |
Object ID # |
1987.50.1 ab |
Title |
Rosa E. Moyer Ruth Wedding Dress, 1887. |
Creator |
Maker Unknown |
Place of Origin |
possibly Philadelphia |
Date |
1887 |
Material |
Cotton, Silk |
Description |
A ladies two piece wedding dress. Both pieces are machine constructed with hand finishing details. a) A skirt made out of brown silk taffeta with a bustled back. The front features several pleats that fan out to the sides where the taffeta has been rouched and gathered to create volume, which then culminates at the upper back. The fabric has been draped as such that it creates emphasis on the sides, similar to a polonaise style, while exposing the self-fabric underskirt. At the back waist there is a self-fabric box pleated panel which separates the two voluminous sections. The skirt is lined in brown cotton, and attached to the hem is a self-fabric knife pleated trim which would have been visible under the outer skirt when walking. The waistband is made out of a light brown silk ribbon. There is no evidence of any closures but it is likely it had hook and eyes at one point. b) The bodice is made out of the same brown taffeta with a folded down collar. There is an inset self-fabric dickey with vertical pintucks, flanked by pointed lapels. The long sleeves are set in to the arm syce. The bodice has a hook and eye closure at the pintucked yoke and an additional fourteen button (missing four buttons) closure. The bodice has a peplum, while the back extends out further creating a basque like style. The bodice is lined in brown cotton with metal boning inserted into the seams. The dress was worn with a brown velvet bonnet, please object number 1987.50.2. |
Provenance |
Worn by Rosa Emma Moyer (1868-1954) on her January 1st, 1887 wedding day to Charles G. Ruth (1860-1914). Neither Rosa or Charles were members of the Mennonite Church when they married, which accounts for the elaborate style of the dress. Eventually they joined the Line Lexington Mennonite Church. The dress was passed down to her son, the donor. |
Source |
Gift of Winfield M. Ruth |
People |
Ruth, Charles G., 1860-1914 Ruth, Rosa Emma Moyer, 1868-1954 |
Related Objects |
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Collection |
Clothing-Wedding Dresses |