Saturday, February 28, 2015

1830's Pink Shoes!






From the seller:

A magnificent pair of 1820’s deep pink rose satin straight shoes that are fresh from the Pederson estate in Orange, MA.. The shoes are French made and have the French words for left and right hand written inside lining. The front openings are trimmed with a tiny darker pink silk bow and the openings are bound with darker pink silk. The shoes are lined with linen and kid leather. They are in excellent and sturdy condition. There is a tiny bit of wear to the back heels and on one side of one shoe. This age flaw is very minor. Length 9 ½ inches Width 2 ½ inches. A rare color to add to a shoe collection.

From Me:

1830's shoes at the V&A for comparison.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Mid 19th Century Plaid Dress







From the seller:

A lovely 1860’s brown, tan and navy blue plaid silk and wool blend dress. The dress was originally worn by Lottie Pederson of Orange, MA. The bodice has short ruffled cap over sleeves and full pagoda styled sleeves. The cap sleeve and pagoda sleeve are trimmed with bands of black velvet. The dress still retains its original white cotton eyelet under sleeves. The neckline, armscyes and waist are piped. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The front of the skirt has a partial drawstring waist. The drawstring is missing and will need to be replaces. The skirt is unlined except for a wide band of cotton at the edge of the hemline. The dress has underarm discoloration that can be seen in the photos. There are a few tiny scattered nips in the fabric but nothing major. There is some fraying near the front waist and on the binding on the edge of the hemline. Antique clothing is for display/collecting and should not be worn. Bust 32 Waist 26 Skirt length 40 Width at hemline 132.

From Me:

http://www.sil.si.edu/ImageGalaxy/imageGalaxy_enlarge.cfm?id_image=8698

The above is from 1851/1852. This is another one of those made in the 1850's, redone during the American Civil War dresses. The skirt is very much 1860's, but the sleeves, the neckline, and slope of the shoulders screams 1850's.

1830's Cotton Dress









From the seller:

An early 1830’s white cotton and eyelet trimmed dress. The dress is all hand stitched. The front and back of the bodice has soft gathering and a center band of eyelet trim. The shoulders, sleeve cuffs and skirt hemline are decorated with the same eyelet trim. The neckline, shoulders and armscyes are all piped. The bodice has a back hook and eye closure and is partly lined with linen. The lower edge of the skirt has four rows of wide pin tucking. The dress is in very good condition. There are a few scattered tiny age spots and two small ¼ inch splits on the lower edge of the skirt. Antique clothing is for display/collecting and should not be worn. Bust 32 Waist 26 Skirt length 39 ½.

From Me:


https://www.etsy.com/listing/159911198/hand-colored-victorian-fashion-plate?ref=shop_home_active_21

The above is a fashion plate from 1833.

Childern's Dresses from the Natural Form Era





From the seller:

Being offered are two 1890-1900 girls dresses. The first dress is made of light blue and tan plaid cotton fabric. There is no discoloration on the fabric just shadows created by the camera flash. The collar and sleeve cuffs are trimmed with lace. The dress is unlined and has a front button closure. The front closure is trimmed with two rows of decorative buttons. The dress is in very good condition. There are no holes. There is a small break in the lace trim on the collar. Shoulders 11 Bust 26 Loose fitting wait 28 Sleeve length 13 Length from shoulder to hem 29. The second dress is made of tan linen and trimmed with bands of darker brown cotton. The armscyes are trimmed with dark brown piping. The dress has two front pockets and a tie belt. It is unlined and has a front button closure. There are a few tiny holes in the fabric and one small pea size hole in the collar. There is discoloration on one sleeve and on the lower edge of the hemline. This can be seen in the photos. Shoulders 12 ½ Bust 25 Loose fitting waist 26 Sleeve length 13 Length from shoulder to hem 25.

From Me:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/charmainezoe/5538627980/

The above is a fashion plate from 1881. The elongated waist and the double row of buttons - as well as the big bow on the bum- are all signs these dresses are at least a good ten years older than the seller believes.  I'm not entirely sure these are for a little girl either - boys wore dresses for a very practical reason until they were potty trained. 

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Lilypad Hat








From the seller:

A gorgeous, 1860s to early 1870s, hat of vivid (almost citrus like) olive green velveteen (most likely silk) with a very peaked front & a tiny, sculpted crown, trimmed with bold, hot pink flocked velvet roses over a "ribbon" of deep mossy forest green velvet ending in a bow & flirty kissing streamers at the nape. The entire brim edge is trimmed with a fine, pale cream fishnet~like lace accented with a dangling double layer of clear glass seed beads & glass faux pearls fringe. The underside is covered in the same deep forest green & has a polished cotton or silk lining cinched at the center. It reminds me of Selma Quickly's costumes from the movie "Nanny McFee"!


There is no label.


It's open fit, meant to perch on an updo, the brim measures 7 1/2" by 8 1/2" & the kissing streamers are 15" long (my model has a head size of 22", please check your own measurements with a fabric measuring tape to ensure proper fit).


It's in very good condition (refer to "vintage condition" chart below). Could use a bit of reshaping from storage, some minor surface scuffs on the outside velvet, a shallow moth-bite on top near edge (very hard to see), nap worn off outer edges, might be missing a few roses, darker velvet areas have lightened age spots, a few area of beaded fringe are missing (about 2" of one layer on one side & about 3" of both layers on the other (could be restored with the right looking beads & a bit of beading patience), lining just has a few age spots. All issues age appropriate. Remember, even the Mona Lisa has cracks~


From Me:

Okay, so here is the fashion plate the seller provided:


And I get what s/he's seeing. However, to me, the minimalist style (for the late 1860's/early 1870's, this has very little decoration), the thin ribbons, and that tiny crown seem much later. Like this:

http://www.fashion-era.com/hats-hair/hats_hair_8a_hairstyles_history_1930_1940.htm


See the red hat on the upper right? Tiny crown, not round shape, minimal decoration...

A straw version from 1939:

http://annazeitlin.blogspot.com/2012/08/hats-from-women-1939.html

So, for this hat, I'm going with the 1930's. And really want a pink suit with a green and white polka dot scarf to go with it. ;-)

Ladies and Gentlemen, please remember not to drool on the keyboard while looking at this dress













From the seller:

1912 Edwardian reception gown in grey silk chiffon over ivory China silk embellished with hand painted metal shells. The upper bodice and sleeves are ivory lace over cream silk. The standing collar down through the throat is made up of pleated silk tulle set with appliqued lace. Satin covered discs accented the neckline between chiffon and tulle. They are also used at the sleeve hem.
The chiffon on the bodice is pleated just above the waistline seam to create a cummerbund effect. The bodice is fully boned.
The skirt is gently gathered into the waistline seam.
Decorating the reception gown are these amazing iridescent metal shells all hand painted and hand stitched in place. There are various sizes throughout the gown. They are made to look like fresh water pearls. There is only a couple of missing and a few loose on the gown. The gown closes up the center back with original hooks and eyes. The skirt is slightly longer at the back and trains out behind the dress.
The dressmaker’s label is intact.
The China silk lining or under-dressing is showing some shatter. I have tried to photo these spots but it is safe to say that the dress is perfect for display and collection but to try and wear the gown you would have to undertaking a relining of the garment.
An absolute stunning example of Edwardian fashion, style and grace.
Make sure to ask all questions before buying, as with antique garments there are always flaws due to the age.
No returns due to buyers remorse
I can only upload 12 pictures so if you want to see more let me know and I will send you additional photos, there are about 10 or so more.
Bust-32, Waist-22, Hip-50, Length-60 & 70, Shoulders-15, Sleeve-15


From Me:


The above is a fashion plate from 1908. (hehehe, that rhymes!) You can easily see the similarities between the gray gown on the right and the extant gown in both the bodice neckline and the shaping of the skirt. The sleeves are more similar to the dress on the left of the fashion plate. So, although I have no doubt there were women wearing a similar style in 1912, this dress probably from a few years earlier.

1860's American Civil War Dress with leaves












From the seller:

Original Museum Quality Antique Victorian Silk Beaded Dress w Train Civil War

Antique Victorian Dress

Gorgeous irridescent silk in a bronze color which has green sheen. Beautiful details with green leaves, blue glass beads and green cording with beads sewn into the cording as well. Crochet covered buttons and lace trim at neckline. Pocket at front. Also around the inside perimeter of skirt, there is a heavier fabric at bottom of hem to give the necessary weight. The flash wasn't used for the images that appear darker.

Overall good condition with some very minor small spots, a few leaves needs reattaching, very few broken beads, dart at waist shows separation, inside you will see fabric that is threadbare where hooks are, a tiny hole. One of crochet covered button shows wear on back.

Please see my other clothing and accessories from this era and I also have vintage clothing on eBay. Combined shipping is offered.

Approximate Measurements

Shoulder to Shoulder: 19-1/2" across (39") - has a drop shoulder seam
Bust: 16" across (32")
Sleeves: 19-3/8"
Waist: 10-1/2" across (21")
Length: measured from waist to bottom, 42" in front and 52" in back


From Me:

The overall style - the pleating towards the back, the waist length, sleeves, ect, indicate a date of probably 1864/1865. However, those leaves. I have no idea. They look to be all hand sewn on - the same gold beads in the trim surround each of the leaves. Maybe this was for a play during the Civil War?