Images(2)

Dress

Object number2021.43.1

MediumSilk; Fabric; Metal

Credit LineGift of Eliza Brown Smith

DescriptionOff-white sheer silk fabric dress. Fabric is stiff, but diaphanous. Three-quarter-length sheer sleeves. Squared neckline with additional rectangular panel of fabric that hangs from back of neck. Front and back of bodice have intricate off-white curvilinear floral embroidery; front embroidery is in a V-shape. Bottom of neckline has additional sheer panel. Front of bodice has horizontal slit opening in the center of the embroidery. Natural waistline and second dropped waistline. Front and back of bodice each have two vertical pleats. Bodice has second interior shear layer of fabric. Interior waist has off-white fabric strap with hook-and-eye closure; there are two sets of three hooks that connect with one set of metal eyes and one set of fabric eyes. Metal snaps down back opening: fourteen (14) snaps down the embroidered outer layer of fabric and eleven (11) snaps down the shear interior layer of fabric. Skirt has three layers. Top skirt layer is the shortest and is comprised of four panels with the front and back plain and the two smaller side panels decorated at the bottom with same off-white floral embroidery as bodice. Middle skirt layer is blue-gray tulle and hangs between the skirt's top and bottom layers; this layer was possibly added later. Bottom skirt layer is ankle-length and bottom has same off-white floral embroidery as bodice. White fabric tag inside dress at back of drop waistline. The sleeves, the bodice's interior layer of fabric, the interior waist strap, and the bottom layer of the skirt are all connected like an internal garment with the bodice's outer layer and skirt's top layer laid over top.DimensionsHeight x Width (Width between shoulder seams): 56.25 x 18.5 in. (142.9 x 47 cm)
MarksWhite fabric tag inside dress at back of drop waistline has black printed text "25311-W13-MST-..."
Historical NotesThis dress belonged to Eliza Kennedy Smith. Eliza and her sister Lucy, as well as their parents Julian and Jennie Kennedy, were leaders in the suffrage movement in Pittsburgh. Julian served as the first president of the Equal Franchise Federation of Pittsburgh, which was co-founded by Jennie. Eliza and Lucy spent many years advocating for women’s suffrage through speeches and political action.

Previous owner Eliza Kennedy Smith

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