H78.46.1

Woman's dress. Description: Heavy black mat finished satin (possible cotton or rayon or nylon or combination - probably not silk) part dress; batteau neck with points tipping up in the front and the back, three-fourths (3/4) length sleeves, dropped waist with bodice fitted to the body to the point where the skirt is attached; skirt is very full and gathered on at the dropped waist; out-sized bow decorates the front at the dropped waist; closes under the left arm with a black metal zipper; label at the nape reads "A Renee Marciel Original". Gussets under arms add to the raglin sleeves. Condition: Very good, condition of label indicates that it is probably dirty. 18" across shoulder. 22 1/4" from neck to waist (dropped). 25" from waist (dropped) to hem. History: Donor's wife, Marian H. Simons, remembers her mother-in-law Lucille, wearing this dress in Oakland. Material from donor's family who were pioneers in Washington and Oregon. Later they moved to California. Raised neckline with dropped waist and huge bow in the front with left side opening. It looks as if the bow was put in the wrong place, this is a cocktail dress with its own stiffened petticoat. 1952-1960, not 1952-1955 as originally catalogued. (Claudia Kidwell, 5/11/1994)

Used: Lucille Simons ~ Oakland | Adult | Female | Cocktail party