Late Victorian Black Bodice

From the seller:

UP FOR AUCTION I HAVE THIS VINTAGE / ANTIQUE WOMEN'S BLACK MORNING TOP. I HAVE HAD THIS TOP ON DISPLAY IN MY SEWING ROOM (ON ONE OF THE WICKER DISPLAYS THAT I HAVE LISTED) FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AMAZED AT THE WORK AND DETAIL PUT INTO THIS PIECE. ITS ALSO HARD TO IMAGINE HOW TINY THIS WOMAN MUST HAVE BEEN AND HOW ANYONE COULD STAND TO WEAR SUCH A GARMET. THIS IS A VERY DELICATE PIECE THAT DOES HAVE DAMAGE. IT COULD NEVER BE WORN BUT IT STILL COULD BE DISPLAYED.  THERE IS FADING ON THE LEFT SLEEVE AS IF SOMEONE HAD IT IN A WINDOW AT ONE TIME. THERE ARE HOLES SOME TEARS AND WEAR THROUGHOUT, BUT I COULDN'T BRING MYSELF TO PITCH IT.  I THOUGHT I WOULD SEE IF SOMEONE MIGHT WANT IT.  THE TOP IS ALL HAND SEWN. IT IS BONED THROUGHOUT. THIS TOP IS MADE UP OF 5 DIFFERENT FABRICS AND LACE. THE TOP GOLD SILK AREA IS COVERED WITH NETTING AND IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE IS CARDBOARD IN IT.  BELOW THAT IS A BLACK RIBBON THAT HAS DIFFERENT KNOTS AND DETAIL IN IT. BELOW THAT IS A PRETTY BLACK LACE THAT GOES AROUND THE WHOLE TOP.  THERE ARE BUTTONS AND HOOKS TO HOLD THIS CLOSED.  THERE ARE HUGE PUFFY SLEEVES THAT FEEL LIKE THEY ARE STUFFED WITH HEAVY PAPER. THE NECK CLOSES WITH THE RIBBON THAT TIES AND THERE ARE SOME HOOKS ON ONE SIDE, THE OTHER SIDE THEY ARE MISSING AND THE FABRIC IS TORN THERE. EVEN WITH THE PROBLEMS THIS PIECE HAS IT STILL IS A VERY NEAT PIECE OF HISTORY.  

From Me: 

Although this has some wonderful Edwardian elements, I believe it's actually just ahead of it's time.  The sleeves scream 1890's.  However, it could also be just a remade bodice and they didn't bother with the sleeves.