If you are interested in 18th and 19th century stuff. The MInt Museum in
Charlotte, NC has just opened a new gallery devoted to costume. I went last
night on free night, and was really really suprised. They don't have a lot,
but it is very nice for sucha a small area. If you are in the area, you should
go...especially because there is not much security in the gallery. you can get
your snout right up the the things! I mean right up. This facet of the
exhibit probably will not last long. A lovely big paisley shawl spread 1 inch
(yes that's right 1 inch) from the edge of a platform is neat to look at but
too, too much of a temptation. Last year I nearly had apoplexey whan a early
teens child who was touring a gallery poked a 1600's floral still life with a
pencil eraser and was going after it with a finger. I 'm afraid I was not
politically correct when I yelled, DON"T DO THAT!" Ahh, life in 2005.
The exhibit: and this is a 30,000 foot overview, I can't remeber all the
details:
Stuff out where you an really see it and touch it if your bad.
1. a mid 1700s Robe ala Francaise - That white and pink silk
pattern that you see sometimes in heavier modern upholstery fabric. Pink
strips alternating with white and multicolored floral sprigs on the white. The
stomacher that buttons
2. a later 1700s robe ala Francaise, red silk, figured, matching
peticoat, polonaised up. Front had robings I think.
3. a later 1700s gown of spitalfileds silk, beige-ish background,
back, en foreau. repro petticoat.
4. Many english court suit, 1700s, reputedly worn at Marie
Antoinette's wedding. beige. lots of sparkly things attached.
5. A Stunning black silk mens suit. English or New england-ish,
according to the label. They used reporduction blonde lace on the cuffs and
for the neckruffel. Suit is georgueos, use of blonde ??? I would have used
really fine white linnen...It's more Republican
6. a womans silk jacket, tied in from with ribbons and quilted
aqua silk petticoat, late 1700's, with a strange "fichu" tucked into the
neckline of the jacket. It had a drawstring around the neck that I have never
seen before this early. Looks to me like a later chemisette, but whatever.
the rest of the collection goes up to the late 1900, but I've gone on long
enough
Down side. Curator is on art history side of the costume coin. He uses
repops for many shoes, laces, and accessories. I recognize the new. Much of
the stuff is bought from reputable dealers and is not from the Charlotte, NC
area. I wish he had displayed some of the regional stuff that started the
collction., alot of the local families donated some of their things. You could
have got a good idea on what was going on in the area. And I agree with 95% of
what he has done and described.
I will try to get pictures and better distrciptions.
18c Mia in Charlotte Town, NC
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