Victorian Era Mannequin "Bessie"
Dublin Core
Title
Victorian Era Mannequin "Bessie"
Subject
Clothing Mannequin
Description
This doll, whose garments were made by the RIJHA’s board secretary and past president, Ruth Breindel, is a miniature version of the RIJHA’s mannequin, “Bessie”. Bessie, according to some of the family members who donated her to us, was created in the image of Bessie Abramowitz, and dates to the Victorian era, ca 1880-1890. Bessie’s husband, Abraham, and his brother, Harry, owned a tailoring business on Westminster Street in Providence from 1900-1905. The mannequin in the RIJHA’s collection is modeled to be 2/3 of the size of a standard mannequin. Bessie may have been displayed in the Abramowitz’s shop window or pulled around on a horse-drawn wagon.
Though her clothing is quite worn, we do know that the original color of Bessie’s dress was an apple green, and that the fabric is both cotton and silk. Her “core” is made of wood, and her hands, though missing a few fingers, are of a type of composite material. Over time and due to open air exposure, Bessie’s head has sloped downward, and her face – made of wax – has begun to sink into itself.
The Abramowitz family immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York in 1886. Abraham started his first tailoring business in Manhattan. A. Abrams Ladies Clothing was located at 625 Broadway in Downtown Manhattan, according to the 1899 New York City Business Directory. Somewhere between 1900-1901, the Abramowitz family moved to Providence, where Abraham’s brother, Harry had settled a few years earlier. Abraham and Harry went into business together and formed Providence Trunk Manufacturing Company, located at 413 Westminister Street in 1901. A year later, Abraham opened Providence Cloak and Suit company and it was in operation until his early death in 1906.
The Abramowitz family had many connections in the Jewish community in Providence. Bessie, who changed her last name from Abramowitz to Abrams, was part of countless community organizations. Her three children, Pauline Abrams Kotlen, Elizabeth Abrams Guny, and Jack Abrams, were all incredibly successful, in part, thanks to their father’s business when they first moved to Rhode Island.
Though her clothing is quite worn, we do know that the original color of Bessie’s dress was an apple green, and that the fabric is both cotton and silk. Her “core” is made of wood, and her hands, though missing a few fingers, are of a type of composite material. Over time and due to open air exposure, Bessie’s head has sloped downward, and her face – made of wax – has begun to sink into itself.
The Abramowitz family immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York in 1886. Abraham started his first tailoring business in Manhattan. A. Abrams Ladies Clothing was located at 625 Broadway in Downtown Manhattan, according to the 1899 New York City Business Directory. Somewhere between 1900-1901, the Abramowitz family moved to Providence, where Abraham’s brother, Harry had settled a few years earlier. Abraham and Harry went into business together and formed Providence Trunk Manufacturing Company, located at 413 Westminister Street in 1901. A year later, Abraham opened Providence Cloak and Suit company and it was in operation until his early death in 1906.
The Abramowitz family had many connections in the Jewish community in Providence. Bessie, who changed her last name from Abramowitz to Abrams, was part of countless community organizations. Her three children, Pauline Abrams Kotlen, Elizabeth Abrams Guny, and Jack Abrams, were all incredibly successful, in part, thanks to their father’s business when they first moved to Rhode Island.
Creator
Abraham Abramowitz
Publisher
Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association
Date
1890s
Format
Mannequin
Files
Collection
Citation
Abraham Abramowitz, “Victorian Era Mannequin "Bessie",” Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association, accessed April 28, 2024, https://rijha.omeka.net/items/show/10.