Wednesday, May 16, 2012

1870's Black Coat with Red Buttons!


From the seller:

A Beautiful Antique Victorian French Ladies Bustle Half-Mourning Beaded Silk Faille & Lace Overcoat / Coat dated to between 1876-1885 - Medium Size - In excellent condition - requiring only minor repair - Size M/L



Description

This gorgeous overcoat would have been worn in the winter on walks or promenades (it is pitch black and looks much better in reality than I was able to show in the photos -please also ignore some of the wrinkles). The coat has a typical mid-Victorian silhouette. It is of about three-quarter length and has a slight bustle back (please refer to the fashion prints dating to between 1876-1885 below to see how it should be worn, I think it dates to the late 1870s rather than the early 1880s, the cut certainly would suggest so). It would have fitted well over similar shaped walking dress and allowed for the skirt to be generously visible at the bottom (see the last photos for similar coats). The coat is made of black silk faille with black jet beaded appliqués and broad machine-made French or Spanish lace trim on the cuffs, hem, front and back of the coat. The bead appliqués show flowers. The back also has a large bow attached to it at bustle height. The collar has an outer black satin hem and a small pink and black and gold wire thread trim attached to it, as do the cuffs. The coat is slightly tucked in at the waist to achieve the correct silhouette and is lined with dark brown cotton. The coat closes with pink cloth covered buttons on the front. The coat has piped shoulder seams, a small watch pocket on the front left and two large side pockets which have jet bead appliqués attached to them. It is machine and hand sewn. The pink trim and the buttons are original and add a little pop of colour.

The coat is a generous medium size (UK 12-14, EU 40-42, US 10-12) (but please check the measurements below) and its measurements are as follows (measured when lying flat):

Length: ca. 41"

Width at shoulders: 16"

Bust: max. 18.5" (ca. 36-37" all around)

Waist: max. 18" (ca. 36" all around)

Length of Sleeves: 23.5"

Width at hem: ca. 36" (ca. 72" all around)

The coat is in very good condition, but a few minor issues need to be addressed. These are as follows: The main problem are tears at the collar where the coat came into contact with the back of the neck (see photos). The coat has one longer tear on one shoulder and 3 three small one on the other (these are most likely storage related) (see photos). There is minor underarm wear with a small hole and a tiny moth hole under the right arm (see photos). I found two more tiny moth holes on the main body of the coat. There is also a tear in the lace at the hem (see photos) and there is minor wear at the end of the sleeves and to the fabric that covers the buttons (see photos). A few tiny light storage spots may have to be sponged off, but otherwise this lovely coat is in excellent and clean condition.It is sturdy and suitable to be worn.






From Me:

Wow! The red buttons are very cute on this overcoat.

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