A Dress Panel is a decorative section of embroidered, woven or embellished textile originally intended to form part of a garment or ceremonial costume. Antique dress panels often feature intricate embroidery, beadwork, metallic thread or lace and are valued today both as examples of historic textile craftsmanship and as decorative works in their own right. They provide important insight into the fashions, techniques and materials of their period. *Related Terms*\ Costume, Embroidery, Needlework, Textile, Textile Panel.