Victorian 1882 Silk Wedding Gown
Harriet Augusta Richardson was born in Billerica, MA in 1862 and was married in 1882, at the age of 20, to Lester Harris. According to the accompanying note, this rich maroon silk dress was her wedding dress.
The antique Victorian dress features a fitted cuirass bodice with a shirred front panel and upper sleeves. The back of the bodice is longer meeting the looser vertically pleated panel of the skirt giving the look of a one piece dress. Light boning of the front and sides and lined in light brown cotton.
The skirt is made up of horizontal bands of shirring that alternates in width from narrow to wide as well as rows of knife pleated ruffles around three quarters of the skirt with the very back of the skirt consisting of vertical pleats. Inseam pocket on right side. The top of the skirt is yoked with matching burgundy cotton that is covered by the bodice. Button closure at back waistline.
The condition is excellent with no rips, stains or odors. Included with the dress is a copy of a photograph of Harriet in her later years as well as the hand written note identifying this dress as well as her graduation dress and other family dresses.
Other dresses belonging to Harriet include her 1876 High School Graduation Dress made from fabric of her mothers wedding gown and an 1870s Dolly Varden style dress.
