Seed Pearl Necklace and Bracelets

[L Verge]

(05-29-2019 02:44 AM)James Wrote:  Laurie - Thank you once again for your reply. I was actually hoping to hear from Donna McCreary on the subject but since you responded, I have one question for you. Forget about the website or the debate surrounding that specific daguerreotype. Did Mary Lincoln wear the seed pearl suite of jewelry that is in possession of the Library of Congress to the 1861 inaugural ball the night of March 4th, 1861?

In my opinion, I believe that she did. I have seen this set up close and personal on several occasions when we took museum tours to the Library of Congress. We had a member of the Surratt Society who was second-in-command of the Lincoln items at the LOC, and he gladly brought them out for all to see and gave a brief history of each (more items than just the jewelry). The suite is lovely.

That said, the jewelry - especially the necklace - would never have been worn with a day dress or afternoon dress. It is a high-end set meant for evening attire, which means a low-cut bodice so that the jewelry is displayed best against bare skin.