The Dress Attributed to Empress Charlotte of Mexico (1864-1867): Historical Evidences from its Restoration: Historical Evidences from its Restoration

Abstract

Textile collections vary, depending on their temporality, typology, and material characteristics. When people approach our work, they often ask what we find fascinating about restoring textiles. The answer is clear to us: they weave the secrets of history into their seams. In the following pages, we will expose a subtle idea regarding the restoration of a dress that is part of the collections of the Museo Nacional de Historia “Castillo de Chapultepec”, of the Instituto Nacional de Antro-pología e Historia (MNH-INAH, National Museum of History “Castillo de Chapultepec”, of the National Institute of Anthropology and History). This piece is attributed to the Empress Consort of Mexico, Marie Charlotte Amélie Augustine Victoire Clementine Léopoldine of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The restoration was significant thanks to the correct decision-making and the close link with the MNH. The result of assertive communication between the parties favored the restoration of the silhouette and of the ornamental elements to a state similar to their original creation.