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'Ball Dress. Evening Costume', September 1828

11 of 23 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Accessories - Jewellery - Cameos'

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'Ball Dress. Evening Costume', September 1828

probably by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and acquatint, published 1 September 1828
8 1/2 in. x 5 3/8 in. (216 mm x 135 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47625

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Described in the magazine:
Ball Dress. A Dress of pink gauze, with a rich white satin stripe. Three pointed flounces, set on rather scanty, ornament the border: one, the same as the dress, placed between two of white Japanese gauze: the flounces fall over each other, and all have the points bound with a narrow rouleau. The body is made slightly en gerbe, high across the bust, but low on the shoulders, and the sleeves are very short, plain, and full, with the stripes in bias. The hair is elevated à la Giraffe, on the summit of the head; but this ornamental hair, which is carried so high, is not formed of wired loops, according to the first arrangement of that head-dress, but consists of innumerable curls in raised clusters, confined by narrow platted braids, which by being twisted round, support, and keep them firm together: at the base of this elevation is a wreath of large, full-blown, blush roses; the hair in front is parted on the forehead, in very full curls, though not large, over the temples, and short at the ears. Madonna braids are next the face, and the curls beyond. The ear-pendants are of pearls, but not very long; and the necklace is à la Solitaire, formed of depending pear-pearls, from festoons of gold, in light chain work. The bracelets consist of two rows of gold beads, clasped with a cameo.
Evening Costume. A dress of turquoise-blue sarcenet, with two rows of points round the border, set on flounce-wise: these points are trimmed at the edge with a narrow, full ruche of blue crape; and between each point is a scroll of blue crêpe-lisse, edged by a very slight and delicate pattern in embroidery: the scrolls are gathered full at the top under the points, and depend en fichus. The body is en gerbe, with a pointed zone round the waist. Long white sleeves of crape, are surmounted by those which are short en ballons, of the same colour and material as the dress: at the termination of the short sleeves is a bow of blue ribbon at the back part of the arm; and another bow is placed on the left side of the tucker, in which bow is mingled a portion of white ribbon. The white sleeves are terminated at the wrists by English, antique, pointed cuffs of blue sarcenet; and a bracelet of white and gold enamel, with a white agate brooch, encircles the wrist, next the hand. A dress hat is worn with this costume, of white chip, with bows of blue and white ribbons under the brim, and a very beautiful plumage of white feathers, edged and tipt with blue, is tastefully disposed over the crown.

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Events of 1828back to top

Current affairs

Duke of Wellington becomes Prime Minister.
Madhouse Act attempts to regulate asylums and ensure new arrivals are genuinely insane.
Repeal of the Test Acts removes political restrictions from dissenters, allowing them to hold public office.

Art and science

London Zoological Gardens open in Regent's Park. They provide both entertainment and a supply of exotic specimens for naturalists and anatomists such as Richard Owen who becomes a European authority on the subject.

International

Daniel O'Connell is elected Member of Parliament for County Clare but as a Catholic is not permitted to take his seat.

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