English: Ball dress, dismantled, circa 1840; heavy cream (pink.) satin brocade with large pink floral sprays on satin-faced ground; separate bodice and sleeves; bodice pointed in front and boned; back fastening, wide neckline; shaped fitted bodice with heavy tucks and ruching on sleeves and bodice front, frill at elbows; covered buttons down front; additional long sleeves; full skirt with 7 straight panels; frilled and buttoned front panel; skirt has been removed from bodice and gathering undone; bodice intact except for part removal of elbow frills (card and cat. description) This dress illustrates the fashion of the 1840s with its preference for overall floral designs in delicate tints. It displays the dominant lines of the time- close fitting, with short half-sleeves edged with lace. This ball dress foreshadows a new style of the 1850s, that of the widening bell-sleeve. The lengthened and widened sleeve complemented the increasing width of flounced skirts of day and evening dresses. This ball dress is made with satin brocade with large pink floral sprays on satin-faced ground; separate décolletage bodice and sleeves; bodice pointed in front and boned and is back fastened. The plain, full skirt is trimmed with large, covered buttons and is gathered in to the waist. "BROCADE DRESS (DISMANTLED) pink silk brocade with pink flower sprays on satin-faced ground. Bodice very short – back fastening – very wide neckline. Shaped fitted bodice with heavy tucks and ruching on sleeves and bodice front – frill at elbows, covered buttons down front – bodice lined and boned. Additional long sleeves. Skirt very full in seven straight panels with frilled and buttoned front panel."