1/6 Plate Daguerreotype – circa 1850

1/6 Plate Daguerreotype – circa 1850

In this image of an unidentified middle aged couple, the woman’s dress has a long, board-like bodice. It wasn’t until 1853 that a more comfortable corset appeared. The cut shows the common form of the foundation garment which has formed a slight but visible fabric roll at the top of her boned bodice.  Her somewhat plain white work collar and sleeve frills are another dating element along with the tight sleeves of her dress. Her hairstyle, with the heavy side wings of hair that are widened over the ears, indicates a date close to 1850. Her Niagara style bag has large, ovate florals and long thick stems and a white bead edge fringe.  The flap on this piece is rectangular and the bottom of the bag is rounded.