Dresses of this age are rarely 100% perfect and this one is starting to show some shattering to some areas of the finer, tissue silk underlays, and has several areas of tears in the netting around the sleeves and shoulders. Even so is still remarkable in how intact it still is even after all of these years. It is a wonderful example of the workmanship that was being done during this time period. It is also a rare example of a labeled piece from this time period when labels were just beginning to be added to pieces. Please make sure to read the full description and condition notes and review all photos
The dress is made from a fine black satin with an overlay of black net. The net has then been covered in a dense pattern made up of white glass beads and silver sequins in two shapes. This is suspended over the inner silk dress and attached through the waist. Through the sleeves and the upper shoulders the netting is not lined so you get a glimpse of skin through it. The sleeves are exquisite, falling from the shoulder in a swath of sheer netting with that same beading covering them. On the bodice we see the smallest hint of color with a pale green silk penal set under the layers. This color then peeks out as it wraps all the way around front to back. Over this it is then embroidered with gold metal thread and the result is divine. The beading and netting angle into towards the nipped in waist which is then defined by a wide velvet belt that is finished with a large flat bow at the back. The skirt falls to the floor from the waist, sweeping down to a trained finish at the back. The netting is set so that if fall over the skirt in two panels. One down the front and one down the back. Each of these has a complex and beautiful design hand worked onto them. The front panel is finished with a full ten inch long black silk velvet fringe. This moves as you do and is some of the finest, softest velvet I have ever felt. The dress is just extraordinary. It presents very well but does have some issues. Please read the full description below and review all photos before purchasing.
The inner bodice is cream tissue silk and the black silk satin portions are lined in a black silk. There is a wide band of fabric through the inner waist. The silk satin serves as the lining under the netting. The dress closes with a series of hook and eye, some of which may need replacing. There are extensive tears through the netting under the arms and along the shoulders. The netting around these areas is very fragile. I have photoed all of the areas affected. You could reinforce them but I have left the dress as found and all original. There is shattering to the green silk and again I have photoed it. On the interior there is minor separation/shattering along some of the seams. There may be other areas of weakness here and there as well but I don't see any readily apparent ones. All the areas affected can be seen after the label shot. The beads and sequins seem to be entirely present. The rest of the dress is remarkably sound. If this was perfect it would be priced at several thousand more. Even with these defects the dress is shockingly beautiful. It is after all over 100 years old.
Sleeves: Approx 14"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from neck to front hem, 71" to tip of back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD3224
Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly check
