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Mourning dress
(c. 1882)
Medium
wool (serge), silk
Measurements
67.0 cm (centre back) 37.0 cm (waist, flat)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Schofield Collection. Purchased with the assistance of a special grant from the Government of Victoria, 1974
Public domain
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Although black was commonly worn to signify grief, mourning practices became widespread in Victorian times following Queen Victoria’s reaction to her husband’s death in 1861. Consequently, loose traditions developed into a complex array of signs, customs and symbols, extending from dress etiquette to funerary custom, to fixed periods of seclusion that reached across all classes.
These two hastily made mourning dresses invite morbid speculation. What were the circumstances leading to their production? What was the nature of their relationship to the deceased?
Artwork Details
Accession Number
D171-1974
Department
Australian Fashion and Textiles
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Creative Victoria through Culture Victoria
Physical description
Child’s dress in black wool serge, round neckline, slightly gathered sleeve caps and a plastron of black silk and cream ribbon. Pleated skirt with dropped waist. Black silk bow attached at centre rear. Black silk lace at cuffs. Fawn twill silk/cotton lining. Metal hook thread eye placket closing centre front. Shirring at high round neckline. Welt pocket at proper right waistline.