#LISA1091 --- Bustledress.com

item number #LISA1091

Victorian 1884 Brocade PURPLE Bustle Gown with lace and FANCY buttons
Gorgeous, showy and museum quality really comes to mind when I think about this amazing, one of a kind dinner gown made with a fancy, long draped polonaise bodice, made for a wealthy, married lady. One of the absolutely finest bustle gown dresses I've ever encountered anywhere, at any time- it was wonderfully stored and cared for, so it's in extremely pristine condition-- a true prize of workmanship. Smart tailoring makes this gown very figure hugging and curvy, an au current styling at the time to make this beautiful bustle gown the height of fashion. Precise tailoring is a hallmark of the dressmaker who made this extra fine bustle dress. The light-weight silk jacquard flower and bud brocade silk satin are the RICHEST and vibrant shade of eggplant purple imaginable. A single baleen bone lines along the back (minimal boning shows it was probably a comfortable, but elaborate evening dinner gown.). There's phenomenally attractive wide bands of re embroidered ivory cream lace that is so crisp and clean! I'm speechless for the words to describe the beauty of the matching silk satin heavy weight bows on the neck and front of the gown, PLUS the AMAZING silk rosette at the rear waist. In the 1880's, there was a craze using mostly straight, flat knife pleats, so the bottom of the elaborately draped skirt with many draped, lace edged tiers, and inside ties to shape the bustle area. There are MANY small pleats at the side skirt bottom. 20 buttons are coppery-rose and silver embossed metal with faceted marcasite centers- stunning.

An extra small size- if this great bustle gown were to be worn (it is very strong and hardy), it would require a short, petite lady with narrow shoulders, about a size 1-3 (I'll provide the measurements below photo.) probably a size A- B bust. (Bigger than a small B cup would be pushing it...) This amazing bustle dress would also be an amazing display, or in a museum- it is very showy! The only think I know of the family was that the family was from a mining background located in the California Sierra Foothills- that's all. No maker marks or petersham, although it is of the quality you would expect to see one...

Condition:

Whew! Are you still here after all that writing? Well, here's very little to tell about the condition, but I'm picky so, here we go... All is the silk is amazingly overall strong and hardy- no weakness I can find. Bodice is in very excellent condition- one button hidden under neckbow is removed as an afterthought or missing but a black snap was added to help flatten the neckbow, probably around the Edwardian era. Personally, I'd leave it- can't be seen unless you are looking underneath the bow. Inside tan glazed cotton is extraordinarily good. Lining underarms inside have a VERY faint amount of lightening that does not translate to the outside. It has been let out 1/2" on sides of the waist and done as excellently as could be imagined. If you plan to actually wear this garment, I recommend using underarm guards to preserve the area. Even the hem edges are in terrific condition (another indicator that this was worn indoors and not outdoors.) Fortunately, here are a few inches the bodice can be let out, and the skirt drapery could be moved with the skirt waistband enlargened to accommodate a slightly larger figure.

Make sure to add at least 1/2" movement room to your current measurements (do not go by bra size!) One of the best- ever.

Price is: $1795

For ordering, go to "Order this item" toward bottom of page.

Unsure about size? Go to the Measurements.page

Estimated Current size Approx.:

Unsure about size? Go to the Measurements.page

Size	Shoulders	Bust	Skirt Waist	Estimated Length from top of shoulder tip to bottom of hem	Estimated Wear-ability	Estimated Underarm condition	Maker's Tags/ Marks	Estimated condition rating	Estimated overall condition scale of 1-10
Small (1-3)	12."	34"	24."	30" plus 36" skirt	Near Mint if desired.	Excellent- slight inside lining lightening.	None.	NEAR MINT.	9.999

Questions on this item? Please email Lisa at bonnet@interx.net

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Our Explanation of item's grading terms:

MINT;	NEAR MINT;	EXCELLENT;	VERY GOOD;	GOOD;	FAIR;	POOR;
Like brand new.	No noticeable stains or tears (or VERY tiny or FAINT), a gentle touch of wear.	Light wear, minimal faint stain or two, less than 1." Nothing distracting.	Used gently, minor spots or wear. Sound structure. Nothing visually detracting.	Used, but still has life, spotting, wear or fraying. Visual problems but structure sound.	Used, so-so condition but usable, heavy spotting, fraying, still useful for the creative.	Heavily used, stained, worn or split, a pattern, project, or a cutter.

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Email: bonnet@interx.net