Late 1930's Dress with Silver Dots

From the seller:

Item specifics

Brand: Hilman?
Waist Size: 25
Original/Reproduction: Original
Hip Size: 36
Size (Women's): XS/S
Chest Size: 30
Size Type: Regular
Shoulder to Shoulder: n/a
Color: ivory and silver
Waist to Hem: 39
Decade: 1910s
Shoulder to Hem: 54
Material: silk
Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
UPC: Does not apply

This is such a lovely (and tiny!) dress from the 1910s.  It was just beautifully made, perhaps by someone named "Hilman," or at least that is what I think it says in pencil inside the grosgrain waist (see last photo).
I've had this dress for decades and did manage to wear it once, with the help of a very restrictive corset.  It is so pretty on, though the linings are pulling apart.  The outer layers--an ivory lawn (I think) with silver metal dots, is in good shape.  The petals it forms, and the silver silk ribbon trim are amazing.  Then there is an outer vest, of more "petals," and the sleeves have the same design but smaller, giving their edges a zig-zag appearance.
This is wearable as is, if you don't mind the chiffon and silk lining being torn, or you could have this replaced by a good seamstress.
There are worn areas across the bust, where the silver metal dots are worn off.
There is some light discoloration from age in areas, but mostly it is on the layers beneath the lawn outer layer and hard to see (unless you aim a flash at it, as my photos show).

From Me:


Based on the sizing, this was one tiny woman if it wasn't for a young girl. The lamè bow and bais tape are a pretty good indication that this is 1930's. The puffy short sleeves and the cut of the skirt also indicators of the date of the dress. As this collection of movie gowns from 1937 shows, high waist lines were in along with short, puffed, sleeves.

1937 Fashion Catalog

And yes, bows on the front of the dress were a thing as well.