Three-piece wedding gown

This magnificent three-piece ivory silk satin ceremonial gown comprising a bodice, a jacket and a skirt, was made in 1860. Its shape, with a wide lightly gathered dome-shaped skirt that is longer at the back and sleeves flaring en pagode attached at the shoulder by gathering en coulisse, is reminiscent of a Renaissance gown, reflecting the 19th century interest in revivals.

The extremely fine embroidery, involving the application of gilded metal yarn spikelets in a complex knotted weave composition is also inspired by the Renaissance.

Donated by Pia Teresa Mallaby Carmi, 1997.