 |
#2323 $1,350 Sold Lace jacket, 1870s. The princess line seams, which create a smooth fit across the upper back, flare out into flirty fullness over the hip. The jacket is open in front with no closures. Its shapely cut is so attractive in a Victorian garment. The versatile jacket could be worn over an evening slip dress or with jeans. NEW LISTING | |
 |
#6708 $1,100 Sold Beaded bronzed leather boots, 1880s. Fashioned from bronzed kid leather, the boots have gold tone beading on the toes. The boots have scalloped button closures, leather soles, and shapely Louis heels. Amazingly, the buttons and beads are all intact. These stylish boots have a very soft, comfortable fit. NEW LISTING | |
 |
#1573 $2,800 Hand-embroidered silk taffeta dressing gown, c.1872. This exquisite wrapper with its train and bustle back is a perfect example of boudoir attire that retains elements of street dress. The exquisite artistry of the embroidery is seen in the true-to-nature, pregnant petals and the subtle color transitions from the green-gray leaves to the gray-mellon petals. | |
 |
#4005 $1,400 Linen duster cape, c.1900. It is sleeveless under the outer cape collar and has wonderful scalloped edges on the collar, pockets, and outer cape. The self-covered buttons in the front and on the pockets are miraculously all there. The cape is an important historical artifact that displays beautifully. NEW LISTING | |
 |
#6712 $750 Native American beaded pouch, late 1800s. the pouch is totally beaded with tiny glass seed beads. The exotic bird design is the same on both front and back. The ivory cotton twill lining is hand stitched to the beaded exterior. Here is true folk art from over a century ago, when Native American culture still had an independent life. NEW LISTING | |
 |
#2130 $450 French embroidered silk stockings, c.1875. The decorative vines are hand embroidered with gold silk floss and embellished with bronze metallic sequins and gold bullion coils. Exceptional detail and bold color. | |
 |
#6603 $4,950 Pingat beaded velvet swan mantle, c.1890. From the peerless master of surface decoration and outerwear, a sublime Art Nouveau design of stylized swans. The faceted jet black beads sparkle in the light. The neckline is bordered with clipped feathers, a characteristic Pingat treatment. | |
 |
#2274 $1,650 Chantilly lace parasol with miniature paintings, c.1860. The cover has panels of black silk and black Chantilly lace. On the silk portion are botanicals alternating with miniature paintings of figures in 18th century clothing. The painting itself is not unusual, but its appearance on a parasol is very rare. | |
 |
#6577 $450 Child's fancy cotton dress, late 19th century. Fashioned from crisp white cotton piqué. The texture of the weave is accentuated with bands of braided cotton trim and eyelet ruffles. The dress is absolutely perfect, although four buttons in back are old replacements. | |
 |
#1917 $950 Provençal hand-quilted petticoat, c.1850. The design features trailing vines of red and blue flowers on an ivory ground. The cheerful melange of delicate blue, red, green and brown leaves, flowers and buds, fluttering in the breeze, proclaims the warmth of sun drenched Provence. | |
 |
#6553 $1,095 Sold Civil War period gown with two bodices, 1860s. With its sloping shoulders and tiny waist, the gown epitomizes the pre-Civil War romantic ideal. The gown consists of four pieces: a day bodice, an evening bodice, a bell shaped skirt, and a decorative overskirt. The day bodice and overskirt are embellished with rows of pleated satin ribbon and braided silk fringe. The evening bodice has chenille fringe on the short sleeves. | |
 |
#6157 $975 Hand-embroidered suede gloves, c.1845-65. Completely hand made from butter soft, dove gray suede. The magnificent hand embroidery brilliantly combines traditional floral motifs with whimsical cross stitching around the thumb. | |
 |
#c344 $2,500 Doucet couture silk/lace cape, c.1890-1900. Known for his abundant use of lace and filmy fabrics, Doucet here transformed the typical heavy black mourning garment of the period into a seductive and alluring work of art. | |
 |
#6554 $1,100 Two-tone linen bustle dress, 1880s. Three unlined pieces: a long bodice, an under skirt, and a draped over skirt. The pieces are embellished with embroidered, scalloped borders and with darker brown piping on some seams (a favorite fashion theme of the period). The long bodice is gracefully shaped with princess line seams. The bustle shape remains one of the most popular with collectors. | |
 |
#1164 $795 Muslin work dress, c.1900. The bold graphic design and the handmade Cluny lace cuffs give the dress a lively personality of its own, a token of good design: fresh, young, and cheerful. There is a sense of modernism, even Courrèges-like futurism, in the vertically and horizontally blocked off white spaces on the bodice and cuffs respectively. | |
 |
#1726 $795 Changeable silk cloak, c.1850. Structurally, this is a cape cut-in-one with the body and fashioned from gorgeous changeable silk that shifts from blue to red. The dramatic style and superb finish are timeless. The cloak is on the cutting edge of style today just as it was in 1850. | |
 |
#6355 $6,200 Beaded satin gown, c.1890. Lavishly decorated with exquisite 3-dimensional hand-beaded embroidery. A couture masterpiece in which art has exhausted all its invention, and wealth offered all its resources. | |
 |
#c358 $2,950 Hand-embroidered silk satin/faille wedding dress, c.1881. The style is regal and elegant. The bodice, train and skirt are hand-embroidered with sprays of ivory silk floss flowers, executed in satin stitch with French knot accents. The sleeves and neckline are trimmed with Brussels lace flounces. The superb hand embroidery sets this magnificent creation above other dresses on any day of the year. | |
 |
#2167 $1,550 White linen bustle coat, 1880s. An immaculate snowy linen coat that is sturdy and wearable. The bodice is cut with figure flattering princess line seams. I love the bias-bound scalloped edges on the skirt. The many design embellishments and the figure flattering silhouette add up to a triumph of design. | |
 |
#1581 Sold to Renee Zellwegger for an upcoming movie Straw summer bonnet, c.1880. What a jaunty, self-confident bonnet in variegated shades of brown! The crown is trimmed with a wide silk damask ribbon and a bouquet of fabric flowers. Stylish and all original. | |
 |
#0355 $1,350 Post Civil War day dress, c.1867. It retains the heartfelt simplicity of the earlier Romantic period, while anticipating the bustle styles of the late Victorian age. The draping ingeniously plays with the direction of the stripes. | |
 |
#1245 $1,600 Silk taffeta ballgown, c.1870. The iridescent gold taffeta is as fresh and glowing today as it was in the Gilded Age. The construction of this beautiful period piece is superb, and the condition is excellent. | |
 |
#6575 $985 Gentleman's striped silk chapan, late 19th to mid 20th century. A traditional robe from Afghanistan fashioned from silk satin cloth woven with alternating stripes of wine-and-gold chevrons and plain ivory. This fine piece fits in with a fashion trend from 100 years ago making a big comeback: ethnic clothing. | |
 |
#2214 $750 Boy's linen skirt suit, 1870s. Other than the seams, all hand sewn. A fascinating remnant of our cultural history. Even as late as 1870, it was considered proper for an upper (middle) class boy to be dressed in a skirt. | |
 |
#1534 $850 French velvet boots, c.1890. These sharp-looking boots were meant to be worn outdoors, to be seen by all, especially by male eyes. The provocative red and black colors project their own subliminal frisson—all the more when the boots are taken off or put on. | |
 |
#6436 $950 Silk side-lacing boots, c.1865. These elegant lady's boots, of gorgeous lilac silk taffeta, are accented with ivory silk, side laces, and ivory satin Louis heels. A fashion memento of well heeled, cosmopolitan society during the Second Empire. | |
 |
#6213 $375 Whitework baby bonnet, mid 19th century. Made from sheer cotton batiste covered with some of the finest hand-embroidered whitework I have seen. Even the mesh openwork is done by hand! | |
 |
#1784 $975 Boy's wool suit, c.1870. Decorated with bands of woven black trim and textured silk buttons, which miraculously are intact. A fascinating remnant of our cultural history. | |
 |
#6460 $650 Beaded satin reticule, c.1890-1900. Made from copper colored satin and lined with green satin. The pleated top and looped fringe are nice touches. What splendid Native American style beading! | |
 |
#6611 $850 Lace tea dress, c.1890-1900. Beautifully fashioned with layers of ecru cotton tulle. The top layer of floral sprig tulle has panels of lace inserts and embroidered flowers. The flounced hem border and bodice capelet consist of rows of decorative lace. This youthful dress is ideal when you do not need the formality of a full length skirt. | |
 |
#6461 $450 Fancy silk wire-frame bonnet, c.1885. A mix of embroidered silk organza, gros grain ribbon with picot edges, metallic lace, and faux pearls, topped off with a bouquet of berries with velvet leaves—quite delectable! | |
 |
#2007 $1,650 Hand-embroidered silk cloak, c.1890-1900. Made from a Chinese silk shawl by ingenious folding, this is art that conceals art. Using symmetry by reflection, the floral motif has a subtle, undying beauty. | |
 |
#2107 $800 Caned gauze bonnet, c.1845. It is a miracle this rare and delicate bonnet has survived at all. The sheer gauze is more like a whisper than fabric. Best of all—the bonnet is all original. | |
 |
#1598 $650 Straw sporting hat, c.1890. A real rarity and collector's treasure. This stylish hat has a strong presence and makes an excellent display. | |
 |
#6612 $1,100 Velvet day dress with provenance, c.1900. The elegant hourglass shape, the dark rich velvet, the lace trim, and especially the dainty black lace ruffles on the sleeves all create an impression of tasteful refinement. The unlined skirt, smooth over the hips, forms a graceful train in back. A fine vintage dress that is a stylish artifact of our cultural heritage. | |
 |
#2106 $875 Mixed Irish lace/Battenberg lace shawl, c.1900. The pattern is intricate, bold, and texturally exciting. Add a touch of elegance to a basic dress with this fine antique fashion accessory. | |
 |
#1605 $600 Sold Silk faille bonnet, c.1888. This cheerful little bonnet is a perfect hair ornament on top of an elaborate coif. The decoration is ingenious: on the beaded branches, the faceted bronze beads sparkle in the light. | |
 |
#6195 $1,100 Gentleman's embroidered velvet/leather shoes, c.1850. Most striking is the delightful decoration on such sturdy practical shoes, truly a celebration of individual craftsmanship and design. | |
 |
#6214 $375 Valenciennes handmade lace baby bonnet, mid-late 19th century. Fashioned from alternating bands of handmade Valenciennes lace and hand-embroidered batiste. Three rows of Valenciennes ruffles outline the face of the baby. The bonnet is completely hand sewn. | |
 |
#1794 $1,975 Gentlemen's broad fall linen trousers, c.1850. A transitional style, retaining the broad fall front. For an artifact of men's fashion from over 150 years ago, the trousers are in amazingly good condition. | |
 |
#6356 $695 Ayrshire embroidered christening dress, c.1890. The bodice and front panel feature alternating rows of fine hand embroidery and ruching. The elaborately embroidered hem flounce is exceptional. |