Reproduction of evening bodice and skirt made by Elizabeth Keckley

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This is a reproduction of an evening bodice and skirt made by Elizabeth Keckly for First Lady Mary Lincoln. The original garment is in the First Ladies Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The bodice (a) features a v-neckline that is trimmed with maroon synthetic lace. It is slightly off the shoulder with a Bertha collar with three layers of lace. Under the layer of synthetic maroon lace, is a layer of black lace, and then a layer of white lace. The white machine lace is composed of two pieces of lace that have been sewn together to make a wider band. The black and white lace has been hand gathered and then sewn under the marron lace trim. The front of the bodice is composed of four panels of purple synthetic velvet fabric. White satin piping separates each panel of purple velvet, creating a center front seam and a princess seam.

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