Court presentation dress
Protocol regulated the formal attire for men and women who were to be presented at the Court of St. James in London, until the custom was ended in the 20th century. The long train emanating from the shoulders of this gown suggest it may have been worn to for a court presentation in the mid-1920s. An example of the silhouette known as a "robe de style," in which interior boning widens the skirt at either side, the dress was custom-made in the Boué Soeurs atelier. The lamé fabric, paired with a virtuoso examples of ribbon work, identify its couture origins. The elaborate craftsmanship of these elegant ornaments, arranged in a floral basket design, are a characteristic feature of gowns made by the Boué sisters.
Artwork Details
- Title: Court presentation dress
- Design House: Boué Soeurs (French, 1897–1957)
- Date: 1932–34
- Culture: French
- Medium: silk, metal, rhinestones
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Aurora Elroy, 1957
- Object Number: 2009.300.1251a, b
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Boué Soeurs
1920s
Boué Soeurs
1915–25
Boué Soeurs
ca. 1929
Boué Soeurs
1927
Boué Soeurs
1928
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.