Antique Magnificent Reception Dress, ca. 1895

Reception Dress for a Garden Party, ca. 1895 – Elegance in the Open Air

An exceptional antique reception gown from the year 1895 reveals itself in splendid floral abundance and artisanal refinement. This two-piece ensemble is lavishly embroidered with colorful blossoms and meandering tendrils - each stitch a testament to the craftsmanship and patience of the embroiderers who must have spent countless hours on this masterpiece. The embroidery adorns a delicately woven yet resilient linen fabric that lends the gown a sturdy elegance and provides structural support to the opulent gigot sleeves - typically vulnerable due to their many pleats, yet here preserved in excellent condition.

Composed of a bodice and skirt, the antique gown impresses not only with its construction but with its loving details: pink silk bows accentuate the collar, cuffs, shoulders, and serve as a graceful belt. The back of the skirt is artfully pleated, creating a flowing interplay of fabric and movement as one walks. Beneath, a heavy underskirt of deep red silk adds surprising sensuality and depth to the silhouette.

Such a antique dress was designed for the special social occasions of a garden party - strolls among blooming flowerbeds, musical interludes under leafy canopies, or refined teas served in elegant pavilions. It unites the lightness of summer with the dignity of formal attire and unfolds like a floral poem basking in daylight. With a bust measurement of approximately 81 cm and a waist of around 65 cm, it appears petite and yet commanding- a relic from an era when clothing told stories.

Its provenance from the holdings of an American museum endows the piece with added prestige: not merely a token of personal elegance, but a museum-quality artifact from a time when fashion was a form of art.