Evening dress

Description

Two piece black velvet evening dress with lace and black feather collar. The bodice has a simple scoop neckline with gathered lace at the collar and over the sleeves. The short full puffed sleeves have lace trim at the cuffs and black ribbon decoration at the top of the shoulders. The front of the bodice comes to a narrow point at the waist. The bodice buttons up the front with twelve velvet covered buttons. The interior of the bodice is lined with an ivory silk. The puffed sleeves are lined with a cream square checked silk. The interior has twelve boning strips around the waist and a stiff ribbon around the waist with the label "Hentenaar, Rue du Quatre Septembre, Paris." There are three tabs with button holes at the back of the waist to attach the skirt. The back of the bodice has the same lace and feather decoration that continues around from the front collar. The lace overlay over the puffed sleeves comes down to the top of the shoulder blades. The full length black velvet skirt has an attached ruffled train. The skirt has a simple waistband closed by two hooks and loops. There are three metal buttons attached to the back of the skirt waist that button into the bodice. The skirt also has a small attached bustle. The interior of the front center panel has a curved strip of boning across the bottom hem. The bone has been partially eaten by a carpet beetle. The back of the skirt is gathered at the center of the waist and falls into a long rounded edge and ruffled train. There is a slit pocket in the back right seam. The pocket contained a stained ivory handkerchief monogrammed with a "P."