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Hungarian embroidered red velvet gala dress, worn by Eva Castley in 1974
Object type
National costumes
Object number
1988.0005.0001.001
Description
Hungarian hand and machine sewn embroidered red velvet gala dress. A full-length gown with bodice and cream-coloured half-length satin-like sleeves gathered with elastic. The neck is surrounded by a similar satin frill, and the collar is attached with press studs, which are sewn to the velvet around the neck. The velvet is lined with open plain weave cotton with maroon satin around the hem. Overall the dress is decorated with applique and 24,470 hand sewn small pearl and coral beads. The front of the bodice is decorated with gold-coloured braid and spherical buttons, and gold-coloured tassles are attached to the front on the ends of a similar coloured rope.
Collection name
Eva Castley collection
Maker
Mrs Lajos '. Gyenge
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Date made
1972 - 1974
Wearer
Mrs Eva A. Castley
Mrs Castley's mother Mrs Gyenge made this dress for her
Place worn
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Mrs Castley wore this dress only once, to a charity dinner at the Cornwall Hotel, Launceston, in 1974, to celebrate its 150th anniversary
Associated place
Budapest, Hungary
Mrs Castley and Mrs Gyenge migrated to Australia from Hungary between 1948 and 1951
Date worn
12/10/1974
150th Anniversay of the Cornwall Hotel, Launceston
Materials
Velvet, Satin, Cotton cloth, Elastic, Beads