Ensemble
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
silk, cotton or linen
Dimensions
(a) Length at CB: 41 in. (104.1 cm) (b) Length at CB: 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm)
Classification
Main dress-Womenswear
Culture
Russian
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Miss Irene Lewisohn and Mrs. Alice Lewisohn Crowley, 1946
Accession Number
C.I.46.9.72a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This enchanting 19th-century Russian, crafted from luxurious silk with cotton or linen elements, offers a glimpse into the refined world of women's fashion during the Imperial era. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume, it consists of two pieces: a longer garment measuring 41 inches (104.1 cm) at center back—likely a skirt or robe—and a shorter one at 17½ inches (44.5 cm), possibly a bodice or jacket. Adorned with floral motifs, as suggested by its tags, the ensemble exemplifies the intricate textile work prized in Russian culture, where silk's sheen and delicate patterns evoked t...