Callot Soers, 1912
Donated by the estate of Minnie Cassatt, this tomato red, silk velvet gown is embroidered in gold silk. The bodice is embellished with gold re-embroidered Alencon lace trim and glass detail.It features a gold mesh belt with tassels and glass detail. The red silk velvet in this gown and the embroidery embellishing it are in very good shape, which makes the deterioration of the silk tulle on the bodice the more dramatic. This sort of disintegration of silk is a common problem in historic costume collections worldwide. Minnie Cassatt, a member of the Drexel family, was married to the nephew of painter Mary Casatt and active in the social worlds of Europe and the United States in the 1900's. Records indicate she wore this gown to dinner with the crown prince of Germany.
number 54.1.7 a,b