KCIDigital Archives

The KCI Digital Archives on the KCI website presents image and text information for the objects in the collection, arranged in chronological order.

Dressing Gown

© The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

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Dressing Gown

c. 1866 - England

Designer
unknown
Brand
Jane Mason
Label
JANE MASON & Co.(Late LUDLAM) 159&160 OXFORD STREET
Material
Twill wool printed with polychrome cashmere pattern; no waist seam at front; volume at side back; front opening with wrapped buttons; matching belt.
Inventory Number(s)
AC4429 83-2-3

A dressing gown with printed cashmere pattern. When printing on heavy cloth, instead of copperplate print it would be more common to use wood block printing technique, as is the case with this dress.
The frenzy for cashmere shawls broke out in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century and revived again around the middle of the century. Extremely expensive originals from India's Kashmir region and luxury goods from Lyon that were based on Indian designs and woven on newly developed, sophisticated weaving machines, marked the top range of available products. Cheaper items with printed cashmere patterns came from Scotland's Paisley and circulated widely on the market. This is the origin of the word "Paisley design."

1850s-1860s