Wedding dress

White was not a commonplace color for wedding attire in the early 19th century, which makes this piece a rare example. Until the late 19th century, brides usually wore a colored gown which could then be worn again for other social functions after the wedding. The silhouette and trim identify this dress as an excellent example of high style during the 1820s. A particular feature of this era was the elaborate hem decoration known as 'hem sculpture." Here the trim is a three-dimensional leaf pattern incorporating chiffon which is repeated on the bodice and sleeves. The silhouette, with the raised waist and short sleeve puffs combined with long sleeves, is also characteristic of the period.