Taking a Final Bow

A gorgeous but very delicate gown worn to a Viennese ball almost 270 years ago will go on display for the very last time as part of South Australia’s History Festival.

Arare sack-back gown designed for promenading in the Grand March to open an important ball will be the centrepiece of a special exhibit at Ayers House every weekend in May. Thought to be the only gown of its type held by any museum in Australia, it is one of the most precious items in the National Trust of South Australia’s costume collection. Very little is known about the gown, other than it was worn by a Mrs Henderson at a Viennese ball in 1752. One could speculate that she was the wife of a British officer who fought alongside Austrian forces in the War of Austrian Succession, between 1740 and 1748. In that capacity, he and his wife may have received an invitation to attend a celebration ball such as that hosted by Empress Maria Theresa of the Theresian Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, in 1751.

The gown is an excellent example of a ‘Robe a la Francaise’, made of silk brocade with a cream background and sprigs of burgundy flowers. As with all sack-back dresses, it is heavily decorated with ruffles, ruching, lace and embroidery.

Worn over wide side panniers, this style also features a fancy petticoat, a redingote with pleated train flowing from the shoulders, and stomacher. Unfortunately, the stomacher was not provided to its collector with the dress.

Even though the garment is now very fragile, it is a tribute to the maker’s craftmanship that it has survived 270 years, including a likely long sea voyage to Australia. However, due to its delicate nature, it is important to note this will be the last time the gown will go on public display. Like all grand old ladies, she deserves her rest! The gown will be supported in the exhibit by a collection of designer-label garments dating from 1910, including the creations of two designers