Good day! I am not sure what era the blouse and skirt/petticoat? are from, but the note in the cedar chest says Grandma's dress. My grandmother was Helen Van Voris Berndt (born in America in 1905). My great grandmother (Katherine Enright Van Voris) was born in Ireland in 1867. That is according to stuff I found and still researching. Anyway, not sure of era these were from. Uncle thinks it may have been his grandmother's wedding dress and I think it was my grandmothers (his mother)! LOL Thanks for looking!
It's a little hard to be specific as it's not mounted to see the shape of the bodice and sleeves, however, the slightly gathered front of the bodice and puffed sleeves plus the wide yoke all suggest a c. 1899 date. The petticoat would be from the same period. Black for weddings are not impossible but very unusual.
Thank you so much! Perhaps we are both wrong and it was just an outfit! Appreciate your time in looking and providing the detail that you have! I took some another pix some time ago and located it to share. Not sure if it helps at all - I don't have a way to mount them, so I know they are not great, but sharing! Thanks so much again!
Family heirloom, lovely. Taking into account the dates given I think blouse a little earlier,1885 and and the petticoat 1890s.
