Post American Civil War Bodice

From the seller:


This Civil War bodice is made from an iridescent green silk taffeta. It has pretty cord covered buttons and is trimmed with emerald green satin piping. It's lined in brown cotton and has light boning. It has dropped shoulders with piping around the armhole seams. It has some green spots and the tulle ruffle around the wrists should be removed, very, very small, light under arm fade under one arm, but overall excellent. It measures 33 inches around the bust, waist is 23, across the back shoulder is 13 and is 15 inches long. The name Ristine is printed on the back neck.





From Me:

1868 Fashion Plate

My guess is this bodice might even be a bit earlier than the fashion plate but it's post American Civil War either way. The shortness of the bodice gives that away as well as the trim lines - which just came into fashion as the Civil War was ending.

1860's Ballgown Bodice in Floral Print

From the seller:

This auction is for an original lady's Ball Gown bodice from the Civil War period. It's made of vibrant floral-patterned silk chine. Features include dropped shoulders with piped armholes, waist and neckline. The sleeves are elegantly and lavishly trimmed out in colorful fringed braid! The bodice is boned and lined with off-white cotton twill. This is a classic example of Civil War Era bodices and dates to the earliest part of the war. This is a great addition to any collection! Not Wearable.

  Condition: Some pinholes, Structurally, it is very sound

Measurements are: The bust measures about 38 inches, The waist measures about 25 inches.


From Me:

1862 Fashion Plate

The style of the waist line makes me think this is American Civil War era. Personally, I love the layers of double fringe. They weren't scared of mixing patterns!

Mid 1860's Red and Black Wrapper Gown

From the seller:
An antique original 1860 dress that has recently been found at a New England estate sale. The dress is made of cashmere and has a large red leaf pattern on a black background. The neckline, front opening and hemline are made of red cashmere. The front opening has black velvet piping and black velvet button closure. The skirt has a long back sweep.  It is fully lined with cotton.  The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There are a few scattered moth nips, mostly to the back train. Bust 38 Loose fitting waist 30 Front skirt length 42 Back length 55.
From Me:

I love this wrapper if for no other reason that the use of colors. The print and the plain but vivid red border look perfect together.

1864 Fashion Plate

1862 Fashion Plate

Although I think this particular wrapper/morning dress is from 1864/1865, I wanted to show the 1862 one for the neckline.

1860's Blue and Pale Yellow Wrapper Gown

From the seller:

1850 - 1860 CIVIL WAR LADIES DRESSING GOWN WITH TRAIN MUSEUM DE-ACCESSIONED
Offering an exceptional fetching Civil war era 1850- 1860's lady's dressing gown in ivory wool and cotton with blue silk insert trim, with white braided trim, machine sewn and hand sewn.
Recently de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
The  bodice is piped at armscyes at drop shoulder. The gown is lined with ivory colored polished cotton in bodice and gauze in skirt.  Gown has original fabric covered button closures in front, and one side pocket. The long curved arm sleeves and flared at top and tapering to wrist.

The back waistline is gathered with cartilage pleating hidden by a large back split peplum.




The gown is in fair to good study condition.  There is underarm discoloration stains.   Fringes are complete and not missing. Discoloration staining on front on hem line as shown in photo.  Scattered very small pin size dot oxidation spots all over. Few small holes in tan challis and in blue silk trim. Few small brown spots on front blue silk trim. The fabric is rich and supple.
MEASUREMENTS: 
Bust 38", Waist 38", Sleeve length 21", Length from shoulder to front hem 57",  Length from shoulder to back train 69", Shoulders across back 15", Circumference at hem line 168-1/2".
In fair to good, presentable condition and a great display gown for study or display. A beautiful display gown.
A superb hard to come by dress of 160+ years of graceful life.
This is a wonderful piece to add to an early collection.

From Me:



I think the extant one is later than the one above from a fashion mag circa 1863, but the similarities are pretty obvious: the design down the front, the shape of the sleeves, ect. The only reason I think the extant one is later is the "tails" in the back which were more popular in the later 1860's/early 1870's.



The above are the original photos from the MET...and the reason I think it's really a pale yellow rather than an ivory. Or else, it's faded a lot since it's been de-accessioned!

Here is a lovely gown that was inspired by this extant one.

Late 1860's Purple Bodice with Embroidery

From the seller:

Purple linen type material jacket with drop shoulders and small coin pocket on the left side. This is a very early interesting piece. At some time someone tried to modernize this piece. Example is one sleeve is full and wide, other sleeve has been sewn to make it narrow. Same in the back. (Would be interesting to see this jacket unpicked)
White embroidery, a couple of areas need tidying up. Six (6) purple bows (one shows wear) down the front, with 4 hook and eye waist closure (one eye needs to be replaced) A few holes and a few marks. wear/hole under the R arm.

I think this is in fair condition for the age.

Measurements-

Shoulder to shoulder 17"

Armpit to armpit 15"

Front shoulder to hem 18"

Back shoulder to hem 21"

waist 22"





From Me:
...Why you would unpick a bodice that is 150 years old is simply beyond me. /headdesk

The sleeve style is indicative that this was an American Civil War era dress that was then taken in and never completely changed over to the higher bust styles of the late 1860's (probably about 1868). This ballgown has a similar waist line going on.

1867 Fashion Plate