1820's Stays dyed blue

 

From the seller:

Item specifics

Seller Notes

“Structurally sturdy with age-related foxing, 4 missing grommets at the bottom. The bottom 2 holes have torn through to the edge. Some wear to the right armhole and shoulder seam. Very suitable for study and display. Not wearable. Look at photos carefully.” 

Chest Size

28 inches

Occasion

GEORGIAN

Waist Size

19.75 inches

Decade

Pre 1890

Color

Blue

Material

Cotton

Size (Women's)

PS

Brand

Antique

Size Type

Petites

Original/Reproduction

Original

Style

Corset

Hip Size

28 inches

Look

Victorian

Country/Region of Manufacture

Unknown

Item description from the seller

This is a very charming 1820s corset. It is not boned, just made of sturdy cotton twill in white and blue creating this beautiful, soft denim-blue. Denim was produced for centuries before "jeans" as we know them began to be produced in the mid-nineteenth century. I won't call this fabric denim BUT it IS a cotton twill in this beautiful blue. Maybe it is an early version. Lined in robust cotton with a tabby weave (canvas?), The corset is wonderfully hand-sewn. The interior side-seams are amazingly beautiful. It is pieced, indicating a resourceful maker. I count 12 pieces of the blue fabric alone. Look closely at the upper back photos to see the piecing. There are 16 bone grommets. The last two photos show the corset laced up- Don't mock my technique. I worked with what I had. The lacing I used is not included.

*Condition: Structurally sturdy with age-related foxing, 4 missing grommets at the bottom. The bottom 2 holes have torn through to the edge. Some wear to the right armhole and shoulder seam. Very suitable for study and display. Not wearable. Look at photos carefully.

* Measurements are provided for display only.  28" chest, 19.75" waist, 28" hip. These are approximate.

*Please ask all questions before bidding- Thank you!

From Me:

1820s stays are pretty distinctive in themselves.  Metal grommets weren't invented until 1828 so bone grommets make perfect sense.  The dye is likely indigo as it was the cash crop at the time.  

1830's Corset!

From the seller:

I am selling with NO RESERVE an early American corset from the 1830s (this is according to Karen Augusta, owner of Augusta Auction Co., Bellows Falls, Vt, who saw the same photo I have posted here). Augusta is the premier auction house in North America for historic costume, couture and vintage fashion
What makes this corset really special is that it has fancy details on the front and even the signature of the owner -- Eliza Southard
The fancy details consist of two beautiful designs. Each is repeated twice -- side by side, one pattern on top of the other. Each is 5 inches in length. Together, they cover more than half of the corset's length
At its shortest point, the corset is 14-1/2" long. When completely unfolded, the corset is 23" wide
My mother purchased this corset from an antique dealer in New Hampshire approximately 50 years ago. She donated a similar corset to the Brooklyn Museum
I know nothing about clothing or vintage clothing, but am happy to try to answer any and all questions (please see 2 questions from viewers below). And please excuse my very poor photography skills
The corset seems to be in very condition for its ago, with no defects that are visible to an untrained eye (that would be me).

Q: Hi! Can you send the picture with the back of corset und can you please tell me the measurements. Many Thanks, Larissa May-13-16
A: Hi Larissa, Many thanks for your interest and for taking the time to send a question. At its shortest point, the corset is 14-1/2" long When it is completely unfolded, the corset is 23" wide I just added a couple of photos Please let me know if there is anything else you would like My apologies to everyone for doing such a poor job listing this item. I have sold over 10,000 items on ebay in 15+ years, but never an article of clothing. The only reason I am selling this item is that it belonged to my mom Thank you Ken
Q: the 2 breast gores seems to be made of a stiff material. can you add some pictures, like from the back and hanging from a coat hanger? these picture do the corset no justice. thanks, dirk-jan May-13-16
A: Many thanks for your interest and for taking the time to write. I have taken 2 additional photos that I hope will help a bit. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like, and I apologize for my very poor photo skills Ken

From Me:

Thank you to everyone that complained to the seller about the photos. :-)

1830'S

As you can see in the above fashion plate, these are very much 1830's. :-)

Regency Era Stays

From the seller:

Early Bodice from Central Europe

Late 18th early 19th century

Central Europe - Bohemia (?)

Amazing fully boned semi-rigid body with the inscription "24491 pure and in Prague 18.. Deep brown Damask, whale's baleen whale (?) and piped edge of kid skin cream. Partially covered with Brocade with Gold Ribbon. Lacing on the front eyelets and transverse bracket using two buttons. Cream linen lining. Very good condition of conservation.

Dimensions: height 25 cm, height 34 cm, bust 83 cm behind front.

Positive points:

Very beautiful piece of the civil suit by the end of the 18th century and in good condition considering its age. Structure and impeccable condition!

Negative Points:

A slight patina is present. The lining is dusty and has small spots by location. Otherwise good condition no hole or accident!

More information to http://villa-rosemaine.com/bourse/pieces/corps-balein%C3%A9-deurope-centrale-18e



From Me:

There is a lot going for the 18th century date besides the shape. Yes, this is a folk bodice style - however, there is the fabric. The trim is nearly sterotypical for the 18th century. You can see a similar but wider one on this men's outfit at the Kyoto Costume Institute and a similar one fore sale here. The style of trim also shows up here in this painting, this painting shows scalloped edges<\a>, this is a redone pillow made with 18th century fabric and trims, more scalloped gold trim, and here. Actually, this style gold trim on vestments is very, very popular in the 18th century.

The fabric too is very 18th century. I wish I could remember the museum I was at where I saw a similar print to this but in green. It was in the past few months which means it was either somewhere in DC or in NYC.... If anyone finds it, let me know.

The back tabs are done in a different fabric, meaning they would have been hidden - again, very 1790's. Also, it looks like a museum previously dated this to the 18th century based on the writing on the inside... So, 1790's it is!

18th Century Stays and Jacket

From the seller:

Circa late 18THC, a rare matching European silk corset or stays and bodice ensemble. In mainly very good condition, some scattered fraying and loss on light blue silk ribbon,some wear on underam jacket and under arms on stays, Overall MINOR….as this ensemble is in quite amazing condition for it’s age.Silk Damask is good and strong.Part of a museum deaccession.

From Me:

This was originally sold by Whitaker. You can see that auction here. Below are the photos and the details from that one.

LOT 497 BODICE and CORSET ENSEMBLE, EUROPEAN, LATE 18th - EARLY 19th C.
Cranberry silk faille with polychrome floral brocade, the square-neck bodice having folded front collar, narrow double breast and short sleeve with pleated and pointed cuff, peplum back. Corset front pieced with cranberry brocade and a tan dotted sawtooth stripe, the back in a similar dotted stripe. Both pieces trimmed in aqua ribbon and lined in linen. Bodice B-36, W-26, front L-17. (Losses to ribbon, some edge wear) very good. MMA. $720

I love the stays so much. I've seen a few examples of stays with only the front decorated - particularly in French museums (I tried to search but the search engine was being finicky and despite putting in 18e siècle, it insisted on showing me 20th century items.). Given the shape of the jacket, just a little bit of a tail but perfectly straight across the front and that flappy collar thing, this is either late 1780's or early 1790's.  It's probably why it survived so beautifully - it was created right before the big transition into Regency.

18th Century Jumps

From the seller:

Circa 18THC. a fine Italian, French or Eiropean silk bodice with inner linen lining.In very good condition.

From Me:

Last time I checked, Italy and France were both European....

Anyway, it's from between the 1760's and 1780's, which I know isn't terribly helpful. My guess would be more to the 1780's but there are examples of jumps/stays and even bodices from earlier than that with the tail in the back. Check out a bodice and petticoat set from the Kent museum to see what I mean. The Met also has a couple of jumps. However, both have the very unhelpful "18th century" label to them.

EDIT:  I found out these were previously owned by the MET.  :-)  Here's the original photographs from their collection.