Woman’s evening gown

This black chiffon gown with its irregular flounced hem, embroidered in white and fumé rhinestone, perfectly captures the spirit of the 1920s with its linearity, yet without forgoing an abundance of applied embroidery in small pearl beads, rhinestones and sequins, or the use of precious fabrics.

The gown was one of a collection of ten evening gowns and cocktail dresses made in 1920-30 for Signora Ermelinda Mentegazza Billotti, a member of a well-known family from Turin.

Purchased by the State, 1996