- Created by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007
- Date
- 1900s
- Medium
- silk taffeta, silk satin, lace, cotton cording, silk chiffon, baleen, and metal
- Dimensions
- Length : (collar to hem) 22 1/2 in (57.2 cm)
- Width (shoulder to shoulder): 15 1/2 in 39.4 cm)
- Waist: (flat) 14 in. (35.6 cm)
- Description
- A black pigeon breast blouse with black cotton cord applique. The blouse features a band collar made of one panel of black machine lace that has been stiffened with five whale bones (baleen.) The baleen bones have been machine stitched to the interior collar. The pigeon breast front is made from one panel of fabric, composed of pieced together open weave black silk chiffon and black floral machine lace.These panels have been handstitched together in an alternating pattern. The fabric is vertically pleated at the shoulders and the waist and tapers slightly inward at the center front hem. Black floral cotton cording is handstitched to the front bust, across the shoulders, continuing on to the back. The fabric is bast stitched along the waist and is covered by a panel of black pleated synthetic satin. Each sleeve is one panel of pieced together fabric that is seamed at the inner arm. A 4" shaping dart is sewn into each sleeve near the wrist and each wrist features a black machine lace cuff.
- The back of the machine lace collar closes with two sets of metal hooks and eyes. The back bodice consists of two panels of pieced together fabric made of open weave black silk chiffon and black floral machine lace handstitched together at right angles.These panels close at the center back with seven sets of black metal hooks and eyes. The bottom hem waistband closes at the proper right side with two small metal hooks and eyes. Beige silk taffeta lines the inside of the bodice – two panels for the front and two for the back. All have been machine stitched together and the seam allowances are finished by hand. Each sleeve is lined with one panel of beige of silk taffeta that is seamed at the inner arm. Eleven pieces of baleen are machine stitched along the interior bottom hem and covered in ribbed silk. A band of silk taffeta lining has been handstitched along the interior hem. Two slightly darker pieces of lining made from a silk satin cotton blend fabric are sewn to the top interior proper right and proper left at the center back seam. Previous repairs at the underarm have shattered lining. There is no label.
- Collection title
- Black Fashion Museum Collection
- Classification
- Clothing - Fashion and Historical
- Type
- bodices
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
- Object number
- 2007.3.650
- Restrictions & Rights
- No known copyright restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




