VICTORIAN SILK TAFFETA TWO-PIECE BUSTLE DRESS, comprising a chocolate-brown silk taffeta bustle skirt, satin ribbon and black velvet silk trims, brown silk lace around hemline, fully restored with new waistband and period hook and eye closure; and a bodice in small corseted sizing with small flexible stays, dropped shoulders with pagoda sleeves, decorated with brown and black silk fringe and tassels, modern hook and eye closures with fully restored interior linings. Circa 1870. Skirt approximately 26" waist, 46" length; bodice approximately 21" waist, 32" bust.
Both pieces in very good condition although bustle skirt appears to have been resized and reworked to fit larger waist size which no longer matches that of bodice. New buttons on bodice with original buttons included in small envelope. Stains on skirt, holes, indications of weak areas due to slight shattering, and some indications of mildew on the back of skirt.
Provenance: Property deaccessioned by The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), to benefit the collections and acquisitions funds.

Both pieces in very good condition although bustle skirt appears to have been resized and reworked to fit larger waist size which no longer matches that of bodice. New buttons on bodice with original buttons included in small envelope. Stains on skirt, holes, indications of weak areas due to slight shattering, and some indications of mildew on the back of skirt.