Masquerade/Metalic thread

[edelweisgal]

I've been reading all about your 1860s Fancy Dress Ball -WHICH by the way sounded like a WONDERFUL time!

But, I'm curious - Where would I find (if any) Civil War/18th century references for a Masquerade Ball costume?

Also I was curious if anyone had any documentation/references about metalic thread/ornamentation?

Thank you!
Ann Detavernier

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Madam,

In the research conducted by myself, Colleen Formby, Polly Steenhaagen, and Hilary Isacson (all of us forum members) we found nearly no references to masquerade or masked balls. There were a few (and sadly the stupid computer I am using right now won't let me access the files) but overall the popularity by the late 1840s-early 20th century was for costumes to be the primary focus.

For those one or two places where a masked ball was found, the masks were removed at midnight.

You would probably find some level of 18th century masquerade balls through some Googling. I found a compilation of 18th century English newspaper articles regarding arrests made for impersonating the royalty, sexual acts, etc. It is more likely you will find these types of balls in Europe than in American colonies, though it doesn't hurt to try and find out what types of parties the royal governors were throwing. But that's another topic, another forum...

An amazing part of these mid and late-19th century fancy dress balls is the level in which the past influences what to wear. A fair share of 18th century gowns have been now cut to fit 19th century persons.

[KKS]

There is a reference to a masked party in the second part of Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women (published in 1869, a year after the first part). The character Jo writes home to her family while she is living in a New York boardinghouse:

“They got up a masquerade, and had a gay time New Year's Eve. I didn't mean to go down, having no dress; but at the last minute, Mrs. Kirke remembered some old brocades, and Miss Norton lent me lace and feathers; so I dressed up as Mrs. Malaprop, and sailed in with a mask on. No one knew me, for I disguised my voice, and no one dreamed the silent, haughty Miss March (for they think I am very stiff and cool, most of them; and so I am to whippersnappers) could dance and dress, and burst out into a ‘nice derangement of epitaphs, like an allegory on the banks of the Nile'. I enjoyed it very much; and when we unmasked. it was fun to see them stare at me. I heard one of the young men tell another that he knew I'd been an actress; in fact, he thought he remembered seeing me at one of the minor theaters. Meg will relish that joke. Mr. Bhaer was Nick Bottom, and Tina was Titania—a perfect little fairy in his arms.”
(from end of Chapter 33, pgs. 380-81 in my combined edition)

An article on mid-19th century evening dress written by the proprietress of Originals by Kay has some brief comments on when metallic trim may be suitable. It is posted online at her website. The site is in the process of being rebuilt, but still has that article and some other great research on women's clothing.

Kira Sanscrainte