2-970-237 - /Heritage Images

Costumes from the Fancy-Dress Ball, in Aid of the Royal Academy of Music, 1856. '...superb dresses worn by those members of the female aristocracy...The Countess of Jersey as "Night": dress of dark blue over black, powdered with silver stars, and a veil of dark blue and silver...on her head a wreath of diamond stars; Lady Clementia Villiers, attendant star of "Night":...a light blue tulle dress, spangled with silver stars, and a large diamond star on her forehead; The Duchess of Manchester as "Cybele":...dress of the finest white barege de cachmere, embroidered with gold in a Greek pattern running round the bottom of the skirt and at the top. Across the centre twined a wreath of myrtle leaves in gold embroidery; the Duchess of Wellington as the "Moon":...petticoat of white silver tissue, covered with clouds of blue and white gauze...the dress itself being studded with diamond crescents...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.