Womens wedding outfit worn by Emma Oghiltree
Object No. 89/314
This well provenanced wedding dress was worn by Emma Oghiltree at her wedding to Francis Robert Gordon Robertson at Parkes Hill, Joyce's Creek, Victoria in 1887. The elaborate dress with its fitted, boned bodice, off the shoulder neckline and full, gathered skirt and bustle reflects the fashion of the era. The dress would have been worn with a tight corset underneath to emphasise the desired shape. This dress stands out because of its beautiful styling and exquisite valenciennes lace overlay.
Loading...
Summary
Object Statement
Wedding outfit, comprising of bodice, skirt, sleeves (pair), and shoes (pair), womens, various materials, maker unknown, probably Australia, worn by Emma Oghiltree, Victoria, Australia, 1887
Physical Description
Ivory silk faille with machine made Valencienne style lace trim, heavily beaded with large 'pearls' and small white glass beads. Bodice is fitted, boned, with an off-the-shoulder neckline and very short sleeveband. Centre back opening with buttonholed eyelets and lacing cords, concealed metal hook and eye fastenings. Neck and sleeves trimmed with swathed machine made Valencienne lace gathered at centre front neck to form a collar. Large pearl beads and small white glass beads applied down bodice centre front to form a stomacher. Pleated ribbon/sash tie attached to centre back openings and tied at centre front. Full gathered skirt with bustle, front machine lace overlay with applied beaded medallions, and pearl and bead tassel trim. Lower scalloped edge of lace front rises to show pleated silk faille skirt. Left front of skirt with lace swag pleated over heavily beaded net panel worked in a trailing floral design. Wide pleats over back bustle, narrow tape waistband, straw filled bustle pad, skirt fully lined with cream buckram. Sleeves (pair), separate from bodice, are 3/4 length with lace cuffs to match the bodice. Shoes (pair) are of cream silk, with miniature white glass bugle bead trim to the vamp and beaded bow trim, covered Louis heel. Leather sole and heel with white kid lining.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Probably made in Australia.
HISTORY
Notes
Worn by Emma Oghiltree at her wedding to Francis Robert Gordon Robertson at Parkes Hill, Joyce's Creek, Victoria, on 29th March, 1887. In the 1880s, women's dress generally was very elaborate, with extensive trimming and tight corsetry. This dress conforms to the style of the era. By the 1880s, dropped waists were in vogue and dresses with this waistline looked best with a flat belly To create the ideal silhouette, the length of the corset was extended to compress the lower stomach. This dress, with the V-shape that dips at the front would have been worn with a corset designed to compress the lower abdomen.The compression caused by these corsets was a source of concern amongst the medical profession.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Jan Tyrell, 1989
Acquisition Date
3 May 1989
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry