SKIRT: BLACK FLORAL JACQUARD

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c. 1900

Subcollections

Overview

Hand and machine stitched A-line skirt in black floral silk damask. It appears to be machine made with hand stitched embellishments and structures.

Full length made of six panels to give the bell-shaped full silhouette. Skirt has hook and eye closures the entire length of skirt. Two pleats of fabric at the bottom of skirt. Single hook at centre back to connect to bodice. There is no train on the dress but the heavy fabric and pleats at the back would have allowed for a petticoat to be worn underneath.

Historical information

Dress belonged to Abrilda KcKennay of Onslow Road Shenton Park.

Abrilda McKennay nee Hancock was born 23.4.1878 Moonta South Australia and died 23.8.1962, Como, Western Australia.
Married William McKennay in 20.2.1901 Broken Hill, South Australia. William born 27.11.1878 Kupunda South Australian, died 9.4.1926 Perth, Western Australia.
They had three children. William, Samuel and Mary.
This dress was donated by Abrilda’s Great Grand-daughter.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-43-2022.109.2

Item type

Material

Contextual Information

See Bodice for more information.

What we think about this dress.
This dress could have been a mourning dress. After the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria wore black for the rest of her life. During this period it became common for women to wear black while in mourning.
Early 19 century mourning etiquette was for minimal embellishment however this changed after 1880 when the requirements of mourning became less rigid. While some mourning dresses from the period do show embellishment, this dress is very heavily embellished which leads us to think it was worn for a more formal evening occasion – perhaps however while still in mourning.

Keywords

MCKENNAY (nee Hancock), Abrilda

Onslow Road, Shenton Park

Costume/fashion

Year

c. 1900

Statement of significance

Skirt from two part handmade funeral dress, worn by local resident.
Aesthetic: Historic: Social: Rarity:

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance