Print | Heritage Burnaby

Description: Bodice, c.1915. Black satin silk. Straight cut, gathered. Three quarter length sleeves, square neck, black embroidery, black and white glass beads, sash at waist. The bodice is cut straight, falling just past the natural waist, with volume added through pleats and gathers. At each front shoulder there are gathers, as well as along the bottom front. At the bottom back, there are pleats. The neckline is trimmed with embroidery in a leaf pattern, done in black floss. At the centre front it dips down in a square neckline, with a beaded panel starting at the bottom of the square. It is made up of back and white glass beads in a diamond pattern on a black net background. The panel is in a shield shape. The sleeves are loose fitting, with black floss embroidery around the cuffs in a looping pattern. At the bottom of the bodice there is a sash that covers the pleats and gathers, and extends on the left side where it may have been tied. The sash also closes with a snap, one on the sash ties and two more at the point where they close on the bodice. There are also snaps on the left shoulder. Inside, there is a black china silk lining that closes at the centre front with hooks and eyes.

Object History: From the family home of Thomas Seaborn McNair and Mary Vida (nee McMillan) McNair who lived on West 33rd Avenue in Vancouver. Thomas McNair ran Edwards, McNair and Russell, an established estate agent business.