Christening Gown
Christening Gown
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- This white infant’s dress with short raglan sleeves was made by African American dressmaker Elizabeth Keckley for her goddaughter Alberta Elizabeth Lewis-Savoy in 1866. The neckline has two rows of casing with a narrow gathering ribbon. The center back opens with ribbon ties and a placket. The back waist is detailed with four rows of gathering ribbon and the front waistband is covered with lace, which is partially stitched down. A full skirt with twenty pleats is gathered to the waistband. Handmade Bucks point bobbin lace trims the sleeves and hem.
- Object Name
- dress, 1-piece
- Object Type
- Christening Dress
- Infant
- Entire Body
- Other Terms
- dress, 1-piece; Entire Body; Main Dress; Infant
- date made
- 1866
- wearer
- Lewis, Alberta Elizabeth
- maker
- Keckley, Elizabeth
- place sewn
- United States: District of Columbia, Washington
- place made
- United States: District of Columbia, Washington
- Physical Description
- cotton (overall material)
- bobbin lace (overall production method/technique)
- Measurements
- center back: 38 1/2 in; 97.79 cm
- hem width: 60 in; 152.4 cm
- inseam arm to hem: 34 1/2 in; 87.63 cm
- waistband: 16 1/2 in; 41.91 cm
- ID Number
- 1983.0853.01
- accession number
- 1983.0853
- catalog number
- 1983.0853.01
- Credit Line
- Gift of Ida M. Savoy Anderson
- subject
- Christening
- African American
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Costume
- Clothing & Accessories
- American Enterprise
- Exhibition
- American Enterprise
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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