Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-07

Tines-Herald, can hardly be estimated. The
exquisite point lace with which it is trimmed
alone cost $4,000. Furthermore, at different
points on the bodice and skirt clusters of the
richest diamonds held in place the ~festoons
of lace. "A rough estimate OF the entire cost
OF the gown, Including the Jewels, is $50, 900.
The whole thing is a marvellous beauty, and
Mrs. Wallace completely put in the shade
the S15, 900 gown of the wealthy London
bankers wife who made such an eXtraor-
binary impression at the last drawing room.
The new gown is built of a heavy duchesse
satin, Of a cerulean blue. The court train
and bodice are fashioned of a rich, lustrous
gros grain silk OF the same shade, sprinkled
here and there with a raised design in satin,
representing a long trailing semi-conven-
tionalized lily, with foliage, springing from
q dainty bow knot. The court train, which
is two and one-half yards in length, and the
full skirt, falling in a dozen graceful godets,
is lined throughout with heavy satin.
The court train begins at the shoulder. in
two narrow strips of satin on either side,
which fit srugly into the waist line. From
that point it falls away in all its regal full
ness to sweep tho floor.
The skirt itself is trimmed at the sides
and front with two great shawls of the
rarest Brussels point, fully a yard in width,
and each three yards in length. The lace is
festooned upon the skirt without cutting and
is placed with artistic touch,
showing the exquisite pattern of the lace
and hiding none of its richness. 1t is caught
UP al LIZ ltleS duu Hhll-lTOuL anu Will De
held by diamond sunbursts Of great bril-
lancy. So much for the skirt, which is in
itself as graceful as it is elegant.
But the bodice. AT the first glance it
seems like a dream CT rare beauty, as the
masses of rich lace and jewels move slightly
with the heaving bosom of the wearer. Re-
vers, f1aring away from the shoulders, taper
down to points at the waist line, front and
back. The d~ecollete front Is cut square AMI
finished with a mass of festooned lace,
which fills the vest made by the revers.
Falling over the latter, back and front, and
caught up in places, forming a graceful Cas-
cade, is another point lace shawl similar to
those on the skirt. the sleeves are built of
gros grain and in the Marie Antoinette
fashion, with a puff at the shoulder and
mousquetaire to the elbow, where a founce
of real lace falls away from the arm. Across
the bodice and at intervals in the cascade
of lace rose and sunburst clusters Of dia-
monds are fastened. Along the lower edge
OF the front of the bodice are three diamond
with pendants. The back is high
to the neck and finished with a plated
Medici collar of lace, which tapers toward
the square low front imperceptiBly. With
out the jewels the gown Is a beautiful con-
ceptlOn.
With the own Mrs. Wallace wore a tiara
OF rich jewels, the diamond predominating,
Gloves and shoes to match the gown, a
dainty handkerchief of real lace and also an
antique fan of very old design completed
the costume.
The lace WHICH decorated the gown is in
the form of shawIs Of marvellous workman
ship. They are probably the finest pieces
OF point lace produced in this century, and
certainly one Of the best specimens of real
lace that can be found in the world today.
The design was o conception Of the artists
own, and occupied the patient labor of two
deft hands for twenty years. This rare lace
was to have been completed for the worlds
exposition in Vienna in 1873, but was still
unfinished whepr the great event occurred.
1t was exhibited sat the Paris exposition in
1878, and won the gold medal, the highest
award. 1t was also exhibited In Brussels
In 1880, and the artist who made it was
decorated with a cross OF the Order of Leo
pold by the king of Belgium.
The design Of this celebrated piece of lace
Is difficult to describe. 1t consists OF a sue
cession Of finely shaded leaves and pome-
granate blossoms alternating with rows OF
conventional patterns, each within a wheel.
1t lis a pot-pourri of beautiful scrolls, with
here and there a rose delicately worked on
a foundation Of Brussels net with the texture
OF a cobweb. 1t Is altogether a production
or very high art. lt-
Mrs. Celia Wallace Is the widow of the
late Judge Wallace of Chicago and is a
woman of great wealth. Her reputation as
a philanthropist is widespread. 1t is said
that she has spent in the past year fully
$4,000 for charitable purposes. She has
done much to put the Central church on its
feet. She purchased the Tiffany chapel out |
right at the close OF the fair, and has erected
II as a memorial to her husband. The Idaho
building she also purchased, and has erected
1t on the shore of Lake Geneva as a summer
outing place for less fortunate people than
herself. She Is also deeply interested In the
betterment OF the Waits mission.
Mrs. Wallace Is a woman with the tastes
OF an antiquarian. She possesses a rare col
lection OF antique eurios that are invaluable.