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Materials: Pale robin's egg blue silk
satin, sea foam green velvet, accordion pleated mousseline de soie,
Valenciennes lace, appliqué net lace, embroidered roses on cloth appliqués,
ivory cotton net, silk ribbon, ivory silk illusion lining, cream silk
taffeta lining, 23 stays, steel & brass hooks and eyes. Also
included is a separate half slip of ivory accordion pleated China silk.
Provenance: From a member of the White
family; they owned textile factories in southern NH at the turn of the
century.
Label: No label on any of these pieces.
I am quite sure that these are all from Liberty & Co, of London
& Paris. Originally there was a matching evening coat that did have
the Liberty label.
Condition: Evening bodice: Excellent;
some small tears in the lining under the arms. Day Bodice: Excellent;
very faint stain under right arm; taffeta and silk illusion linings have
begun to shatter in places (still intact, does not detract). Skirt:
Excellent; the taffeta skirt lining is seriously shattered and should be
replaced. China silk half slip in perfect condition. All the outer parts
of this ensemble are in excellent to perfect condition; fabrics strong,
no tears or obvious stains.
Measurements: Skirt: W, 25"; Front
L, 38"; Back L, 49"; Hem C, 120". Evening bodice: Sh-Sh,
21"; B, 39"; W, 24.5"; Slv L, 9". Day Bodice: Sh-Sh,
13"; B, 39"; W, 24"; Slv L, 25".
Comments: The day bodice has an inset
lace yoke with romantic bow appliqués and gorgeous embroidered mauve
and pink flowers. The evening bodice has a wide neckline with a flounce
of Val lace over a bodice of pleated mousseline de soie. The trained
skirt with its pleated bottom flounce is the perfect match to either the
day or evening bodice. The pleated separate
half slip looks like a Fortuny piece. Ball gowns from this era are rare;
and ball gowns with their day bodices even scarcer. A truly remarkable
Belle Epoch ensemble in terrific condition.
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