Skip to main contentEnsemble | McCord Museum Online Collections | McCord Museum - Montreal Social History Museum 
Ensemble
Maker
Inconnu / Unknown
Marks or LabelsNone
Date
About 1910-1920
Medium / Technique
Silk devoré, silk chiffon, silk satin, cotton lace, China silk, silk tulle, metallic lace, silk velvet ribbon, silk ribbon, metal hook and bar, boning, fake flowers, wire, stiffened cotton grosgrain ribbon
Dimensions.1) Bodice: 46.8 cm (length); bust: 74.4 cm (circumference); sleeve: 26.4 cm (length)
.2) Skirt: 77.1 cm (length); waist: 63.8 cm (circumference)
.3) Apron: 50.1 cm × 38.4 cm (length × width)
.4) Cap: 25.1 cm × 29.8 cm × 19.8 cm (length × width × depth
ClassificationPersonal Objects - Clothing - Main Garments
Object NumberM972.75.72.1-5
CollectionMcCord
CreditGift of the Estate of Alice Hallward
NotesExhibition Costume Balls - Dressing Up History, 1870-1927
HISTORICAL FANTASY
Many popular historical character types were fictions, inspired by archetypes in art, literature, theatre or opera. Recreated in line with the popular historical imagination, these characters were idealized and sanitized to remove any allusions to arduous lives. Accuracy was less important than ensuring the type suited the individual’s personality.
An 18th-Century Flower Girl
Flower sellers or bouquetières were popular characters that were heavily romanticized. Their silk dresses obscured any hints of their difficult working lives. The costume almost always included silk flowers carried in a basket and worn on the dress. This one belonged to Alice Graham, whose two other costumes are displayed here.
HISTORICAL FANTASY
Many popular historical character types were fictions, inspired by archetypes in art, literature, theatre or opera. Recreated in line with the popular historical imagination, these characters were idealized and sanitized to remove any allusions to arduous lives. Accuracy was less important than ensuring the type suited the individual’s personality.
An 18th-Century Flower Girl
Flower sellers or bouquetières were popular characters that were heavily romanticized. Their silk dresses obscured any hints of their difficult working lives. The costume almost always included silk flowers carried in a basket and worn on the dress. This one belonged to Alice Graham, whose two other costumes are displayed here.
Status
On viewInformation about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.Information about rights and reproductions is available here.
Ensemble/Component
Online Collections | McCord Museum - Montreal Social History Museum
This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.