Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The Museum Year 2011
The Year
Acquisitions
David and Roberta Logie Department of Textile and Fashion Arts: July 2009–June 2011
Woman's dress in two parts (robe, petticoat)
Robe a la française
1760s
Robe: Center back: 163.8 cm (64 1/2 in.); Center front: 30.5 cm (12 in.); Shoulder to hem edge, L&R front (56")
Petticoat: Center back: 98 cm (38 9/16 in.)
Silk satin weave with weft patterning floats (faconee); silk plain weave with discontinous patterning wefts (taffeta); silk plain weave; linen plain weave
Classification: Costumes
Culture: French
Object Place: France
Accession number: 2010.589.1-2
Description: Persimmon orange robe a la francaise open robe with compere (false waistcoat) front, double-flounced pagoda sleeve ruffles and pocket slits at each hip. Double band of rouched trimmings on compere form a curve at the top edge. The graduated center front robings are arranged from waist to hem in widely spaced box pleats with irregularly shaped oblongs down center. Gown skirts, upper back and sleeves lined in ivory taffeta with widely spaced ribbon-like stripes with geometric pattern of graduated dusty pink triangles bordered with narrow green and pink bands. The bodice is lined in linen with three ties at the interior center back for fit. Lower sleeve ruffles lined with silk plain weave. Persimmon orange full petticoat with pocket slits at each hip, pleats at waistband and linen ties at each side. A deep flounce and the lower hem are of pleated self silk trimmed with chenille and pleated in a similar manner to the robings on the gown. Lined in white linen plain weave.
Provenance/Ownership History: Before 2006, private collection, France; sold from this private collection to an unknown dealer in the Midi (France); sold by this dealer to Gisele Roche, Sausset les Pins, France; 2006, sold by Roche to Cora Ginsburg, LLC, New York; 2010, sold by Cora Ginsburg to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 22, 2010)
John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund