Summary

Ivory silk wedding ensemble comprising dress and separate bodice. Used 1880-1890.

Clothing belonged to Minnie Anderson of Kew. Mary 'Minnie' Lloyd Anderson was one of five children of renowned architect Lloyd Tayler (1830-1900) and Sarah Toller. She married James Caldwell Anderson; they had a son and three daughters. The family lived at 'Mynda', 5 Molesworth Street, Kew, designed by Lloyd Tayler. She died in 1951, aged 91.

Physical Description

Bodice: front opening, v-necked, lace trimmed, ivory silk taffeta bodice with 3/4 sleeves. Neckline has 90mm lace #1 trim. Trim is gathered at seam and has a single gathering thread 25mm in from outer edge of lace to create a ruffled neckline. Band of gathered lace #2 sits on bodice fabric, following neckline, attached at bust, shoulders and centre back. Bodice fastens with a cord tie, one single hook and eye at top and bottom of opening and 8 evenly spaced fabric-covered buttons. Fabric buttons have some discolouration. Bodice front has two bust bonings on each side and additional boning on button side. Fitted 3/4 length sleeves finished with ruffle made of lace #1 and pleated muslin with decorative edge. Back of bodice is fitted and finishes in two tails edged with lace #1. Inside is fully lined with extra fabric at underarms. Inside has 12 pieces of boning, 7 at the back and 5 at the front. Internal waist band, 30mm wide, fastens at centre front with two metal hooks and eyes. Lace #1 is used at neckline, sleeve cuffs, along button hole side of front opening, on back tails of bodice and along base of skirt. Lace #2 is used as decorative panels on bodice and skirt.

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