Woman’s gown

This gown is a typical example of a robe à la française consisting of three parts: an andrienne, which expands at the back into a short train and has sleeves cut off above the elbow, with two shaped flounces overlaid with small box pleats, a petticoat and a pièce d’estomac. It is complemented by a pair of matching shoes.

The fabric is striped liseré satin with motifs depicting winding wreaths of flowers in different coloured segments. The lining, in linen cloth, reaches to the hem. The entire gown, including the lining, is sewn with two-strand blue yarn plied into an ‘S’ shape.

This outfit belonged to Lady Dorotea Statella dei Principi di Montegrifone, Cassaro e Sabuci, who wed Baron Don Pasquale Bruno Modica on 14 April 1769. A family tradition tells us that the gown was worn on visits to the court of her uncle Don Antonio Stella, who was the thirteenth hereditary Grand Seneschal of the Kingdom of Sicily.

Purchased by the State, 1996.