c. 1909 Rose dress with Turquoise Beading

This gown from c. 1909 was donated to the New Canaan Museum in June 1969, by an unknown donor. The gown features dusty rose-colored silk skirts with an elaborately beaded and embroidered neckline and bodice. The sleeves are three-quarter length lace and embroidered mesh, and the hem of the skirt has matching embroidered panels on the back and front center. The blue beads on the bodice are made from twisted glass, and the embroidered design that covers much of the top of the dress has been created from stiff metal embroidery thread.

The Orientalism movement of the 1910s took off when the Ballet Russes performed “Scheherazade” in Paris, inspiring French couturiers such as Paul Poiret to incorporate opulent decorative elements and vibrant colors into their garments. Neoclassic columnar gowns with new draping techniques and bright beadwork, which can be seen on this dress, took center stage in women’s fashion.

The fan-like motifs created with embroidery and glass beads are reminiscent of fan palms, which captured the minds of the Edwardian era, and were associated with the Orientalist movement as they were often found in warmer, more tropical lands.

[loriannperry]

Love everything you show to us. I repair antique clothing And
quilts gives great appreciation to the precious work they had done. Thanks again

[JA]

When the light hits the detail and the beads and the colors in that certain angle you can really see the beauty of the work.

[rebeccaeaton]

I could totally see this garment on the promenade of Titanic ✨️😉🥹😍✨️It's GORGEOUS ❣️

[gracevalentine]

Addicted to these dresses! My two great grandmothers wore these - one an md, the other a druggist, both suffragists. I can see them in a wonderful new way now. Thank you

[janisi]

If anyone wants a little more info on silk and why it shatters, watch Nicole Rudolph's video "Did Silk Spontaneously Combust in the Victorian Era?"

[williammedsger]

Those are not beads... they are beetle wings!