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Shot Silk Striped and Brocaded Open Robe
Unknown maker, England, ca. 1780-1785.
Gift of Ross Trump in memory of his mother, Helen Watts Trump.
KSUM 1995.68.1

Worn with:
Blue Satin Petticoat
Unknown maker and place of origin, ca. 1750-1775.
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1983.1.3

 

Before the introduction of aniline dyes, purple colored garments could be obtained by subterfuge: this robe à l'Anglaise worn à la Polonaise is made of a fabric where blue and red threads intersect. Such fabrics were extremely popular and, when woven in silk, became known as "shot" silks. Their iridescence added to their beauty and numerous color combinations existed.

 


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