This opulent duchess satin, two-piece dress, was likely worn by Florence Faithfull, eldest daughter of William and Mary Faithfull.
It would have been an expensive commission, consisting of a bodice and a skirt in burgundy duchess satin with inserts of cut velvet in a geometric and floral pattern. It dates from 1875 to 1880.
The fitted and boned bodice is made of eight separate pieces and features lace, 12 mother-of-pearl buttons and patterned velvet detailing on the front and at the cuff.
The dress has coffee-coloured polished cotton lining, a high collar and full-length fitted sleeves with three buttons and lace at each cuff.
The skirt has three internal bustle loops, a full wool lining and a V-shaped velvet insert at the front, with four inserts at the back.
The dress shows signs of being worn and has been altered slightly in several places. It is in excellent condition and was well cared for by several generations of family members.
Collection custodian
Florence Faithfull was born in 1851 and lived at Springfield for 98 years.
She was the first custodian of what became the Springfield–Faithfull family collection. An avid collector, Florence kept hundreds of items left behind by family members.
After various Faithfull family members moved away from Springfield, Florence, unmarried, inherited the house and remained there until she died in in 1949.
Florence was well-known throughout the Goulburn region for the work she did with the church, charity groups and community organisations. Well-respected by her nieces and nephews, she was known as Aunt Flory.
The Springfield–Faithfull family collection was donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Scheme Program by James and Pamela Maple-Brown and Diana Boyd.
In our collection