#1844 $750 Sold
Marigold yellow silk damask apron, c.1810
After the French Revolution, Parisian styles (then, as now, the trend setter) discarded the elaborate silk court dress, resulting in a collapse of the silk industry. By the early 19th century, the simple white cotton chemise dress, favored by the English, took center stage in Parisian fashion as well.
As the silk industry came back with the support of Napoleon, the fashion industry promoted innovative hues. The new colors soon found their way into the fashionable woman's wardrobe. One of the prettiest and most popular colors was marigold yellow, cheerful and sunny as a summer's day in Provence.
The long narrow shape of the hand sewn apron conforms to the narrow silhouette of Neoclassical dresses. The long corded apron ties have tassels at the ends. All in all, this is an exceptionally fine historical artifact from Neoclassical fashion history.
Neoclassicism sought to revive the ancient classical aesthetic. The movement cherished order, symmetry, and simplicity of style. In the decorative arts, Neoclassicism featured austere designs of medallions, urns, and arabesques. What a contrast to the elaborate ornamentation of the Rococo style that preceded Neoclassicism!
The condition is almost excellent. The color of the silk is slightly uneven.
It measures: 6" top width, 28" bottom width, and 28 1/2" length.
