Victorian French Shirt Black Silk Blouse or Antique Bodice with Lace hotsell Trim at the Neck

Hello and Welcome to the Textile Trunk!

This handsome blouse is French and hotsell dates from 1860 to 1880. It is made of a lovely black silky material that is either silk or rayon, but it feels like silk. This textile is a wonderful shape, with bowed mouton sleeves and a high neck with a frothy collar. There are little shiny black beads sewn along some of the sewn line details on the breast, shoulders and cuffs. This piece snaps up the front all the way to the neck and there is a hook at the waist. Such an inspiring little piece! This may have been for mourning, and was likely for a small woman or girl child. Remarkable condition for its age! ~ Please see condition of this blouse below. ( E46 )

MEASUREMENTS :
Length: 17 inches long in the front, 19 inches long in the back.
Chest: 18 inches from one underarm to the other, laid flat across the front
Shoulders across the back: 14.5 inches
Sleeves: 15.5 inches long from underarm to cuff
28 inches at the waist ~*~

CONDITION : This blouse is in as found, not freshly laundered condition. There is a tiny hole in the seam under one armpit, and some worn spots developing in the backside shoulder seams on both sides. Some of the snaps are tarnished, and please be delicate when opening them up as they could tear the fabric if you pull too hard. Otherwise lovely vintage condition!! It may have only been worn on occasion. It can probably be worn, but just be careful in case the fabric at the seams want to split open!



1/29/20