A mid-19th century dress made with arsenic-based colouring is on display at the Whanganui Regional Museum for a limited time before it is put into storage. Two reports say the gown dates from the early Victorian period and is roughly 175 years old. The dress is described as being dyed with an arsenic-containing green pigment, with one source referring to an arsenic-based green dye. The museum’s display is presented as a final chance to view the item publicly, after which it will be removed from exhibition and kept away permanently. The reports indicate the gown is being shown through museum presentation methods, including a 3D display feature mentioned by one outlet. The item’s poisonous composition is the reason for the restricted viewing window and the decision to store it rather than keep it on an ongoing exhibit. The museum and outlets do not indicate any changes to the gown itself, only that it remains unsafe for long-term display due to its arsenic dye.
Poisonous arsenic-dyed Victorian gown displayed briefly at Whanganui museum
A mid-19th century dress made with arsenic-based colouring is on display at the Whanganui Regional Museum for a limited time before it is put into storage. Two reports say the gown dates from the earl...
- An early Victorian-era dress is displayed briefly at the Whanganui Regional Museum before being stored.
- The gown dates from the mid-19th century and is described as about 175 years old.
- The dress is coloured with an arsenic-based dye or arsenic-containing green pigment.
- One report says the museum includes a 3D display for viewing the gown.
- The reports agree the dress is stored away for good after the short exhibition period due to its poisonous material.
The silk evening gown is from the early Victorian period and coloured with arsenic dye. Photo: WHANGANUI REGIONAL MUSEUM / SUPPLIED RNZ Checkpoint A poisonous dress from the early Victorian period is on display at the Whanganui Regional Museum for a short time before being stored away for good.
2 hours agoThe 175-year-old gown was coloured with an arsenic-based green dye.
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