Black silk bodice with metallic cording and beads

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A black silk bodice with metallic cording and beads. The bodice was originally made in the late 19th century and repaired in 1978. The bodice is made of black silk taffeta and has a self-fabric detachable high neck band collar. A band of interfacing is placed between the exterior fabric and facing of the collar. The collar opens on the proper left side with five metal hooks and thread eyes. A stomacher is sewn to the center front of the bodice below the collar. The stomacher is made of silk taffeta and is embellished with black glass beads and lopped metallic cording in organic motifs. The stomacher and collar are faced with glazed cotton. A lapel is sewn on each side of the stomacher made of silk taffeta. The lapels are embellished with black glass beads and looped metallic cording, matching that seen on the stomacher.

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