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This image
also dates to the mid to late 1850's. Her hair style is smooth over
the ears, with just the faintest hint of extra fullness at the ear.
The fabric is superb - most likely silk since the sleeves of the wide
pagoda style. The pattern to the fabric is rather large suggesting
she can afford extra fabric necessary for matching the designs of the
larger patterned fabric. The dress has epaulettes which are trimmed
in what appears to be velvet ribbon or perhaps ruching repeated at the
sleeve bottoms. The bodice is slightly longer waisted than her
natural waist line and a belt is present. She has earrings and a nice
oval-shaped broach. No rings are visible but it is difficult to see
her hands well enough to tell whether one is present or not. The
collar is wide and scalloped on the edges. It lies out towards the
shoulders and does not appear to meet completely in front given the
large size of the broach at the opening. The design of this fabric
has photographed beautifully with a very wide stripe with design in
between. It is difficult to tell, but she does not appear to be
wearing undersleeves. There are small buttons up the front of the
bodice but these are not likely functional buttons. The bodice more
likely closes with hooks and eyes with the buttons sewn on for
decorative effect.
The luxurious fabric and attention to detail would indicate this woman
was upper class, perhaps the wife of a doctor, attorney, bank
president, planter, a university president, or other such
professional.
There is no
backmark on the CDV so it is anyone's guess where she lived. She
would have been able to afford servants to do most of the work around
the house leaving her to tend to other matters. Perhaps she organized
the church sewing circle or some other worthwhile benevolent endeavor.
Her station in life would likely have been one of having a
responsibility to neighbors, church, and her community. She would
likely have given grand dinners and balls, and attended similar
functions in the home of friends and business associates of her
husband. Her talents for sewing would likely have been of the fancy
sewing type - broderie anglaise on a petticoat or child's petticoat,
embroidering a baby's gown, or perhaps knitting some of the more
elaborate accessories of the day. She may have traveled extensively,
and kept up on the latest in literature, poetry, and art. Perhaps she
was published herself.