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Two Piece Wedding Dress
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History & Notes: The brown taffeta of this gown was originally part of the wedding dress worn by Wealtha Maynard for her marriage to Isaac Newton Coston in 1865. Wealtha died shortly after the birth of her daughter, Mary Ida Coston in 1867. Upon her marriage, Mary Ida had Wealthas gown shipped to Boise, Idaho, from Massachusetts to be made into her own wedding gown. Mary Ida married Vivan Bellus on October 17, 1889 clad in the refashioned gown. In 1945, Ida Mary Bellus, Mary Idas daughter, wore the gown once more for her wedding to Roderick Harley. Ida Mary then donated the gown and Mary Idas bridal trousseau, along with Vivans wedding suit, to the Idaho State Historical Society in 1955.
Description: Two piece brown velvet and taffeta bustle gown. Pleated taffeta insert at bodice front. Lace trim along cuffs, front hook and eye closure, and neckline. Corded embroidery at wrist and at center bottom front of bodice. Ruched taffeta center detail on skirt framed by panels of velvet with corded embroidery at hems. At the back of the skirt, a taffeta panel creates a large bustle over metal structural reinforcements. The bodice has been altered to allow for a corseted closure using metal loops sewn along existing hooks and eyes. This would have exposed the lace trim that is otherwise tucked away when fastened by the original hook and eye closure.
Object Number: 1955.022.0003
Object: dress, wedding
Category: Women's Garments
Circa: 1860
Materials: silk, velvet, lace, cotton, metal
Description: Two piece brown velvet and taffeta bustle gown. Pleated taffeta insert at bodice front. Lace trim along cuffs, front hook and eye closure, and neckline. Corded embroidery at wrist and at center bottom front of bodice. Ruched taffeta center detail on skirt framed by panels of velvet with corded embroidery at hems. At the back of the skirt, a taffeta panel creates a large bustle over metal structural reinforcements. The bodice has been altered to allow for a corseted closure using metal loops sewn along existing hooks and eyes. This would have exposed the lace trim that is otherwise tucked away when fastened by the original hook and eye closure.
Object Number: 1955.022.0003
Object: dress, wedding
Category: Women's Garments
Circa: 1860
Materials: silk, velvet, lace, cotton, metal
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