Name/Title
dressEntry/Object ID
1953.239.001Description
This dress, which belonged to Mary Bostwick Shellman, is a Reception Dress of orange silk satin with beige brocaded floral motifs, dating from around the early 1880s. This full-length, one-piece dress features a square neckline with a standing collar in the back, a button-front bodice, and a full skirt with bustle fullness in the back. It has ¾ length sleeves that were later altered. The dress is fully lined with brown cotton.Context
While the dress was once rumored to belong to Mary's grandmother, historical clothing consultant Colleen Callahan confirmed its early 1880s date. The earlier confusion likely stemmed from the fact that the dress was badly altered to appear more colonial, possibly for use in one of Mary Shellman's many plays. Mary was involved in staging local performances, and this dress serves as a tangible link to her passion for the arts and enriching her community through theater. An image from a play called "Popping the Question" in 1891 shows Mary wearing this dress.Acquisition
Accession
1953.239Source or Donor
Shellman,Acquisition Method
GiftGeneral Notes
Note
This dress was supposedly worn by Mary Bostwick Shellman when she sat for her portrait. [Although this dress has not yet been thoroughly examined, Mary Bostwick Shellman's grandmother, Mary Beam (c. 1786 - 1841) was probably not the original wearer of this dress. This style would not have been fashionable after 1790 until the late 1870s. While the style of the dress is vaguely late 18th century, the machine-stitched seams could not have been made until c. 1860, and upon first examination I have not seen any older stitch lines. The dress dates to either c. 1880 or the fabric has been highly altered. (Rebecca L. Fifield 11/09/1998)].
Original deed of gift reads "Orange-Satin brocaded dress of grandmother of Mary Shellman. Worn by Mary Shellman for an oil painting."
