#SOLD1005 --- Bustledress.com

item number #SOLD1005

1912-1914 Edwardian Silk Beads and Bow dress
This pretty, lightweight, summertime party dress is an absolutely fabulous example of an Edwardian formal tea party dress or fancy summertime dinner dress! It's in terrific condition and is wearable if you're a size 2-4. The crepe silk dress body is a pale baby, blue-green turquoise, with a simple triangle "pyramid" front (12 perfect self-fabric buttons on each the front and rear) suspended by pleated (same color) tissue silk "suspenders" over a net and cotton extra fine hand-bobbin shadow lace bodice holding them closed. And twelve buttons under the gathered belt across the upper hip. There's clear and silvered Rochelle silvered beads with rhinestones forming "William Morris" type idealized flower and scroll appliques on the front and rear, and the lace ends in fine points on the front. The 3/4 sleeves are split on the tops and stunning, with crisscrossed, looped green silk ribbons and rhinestones (Cotton stuffing is on the inside.). There's also opaque white beads forming small flowers at the sleeve edges and silvered fringe with large bugle beads on the cotton netting- the lace overlay ends in delicate points like the neck. Intricate array of closures to close the side back.

The poufy self-fabric bow at the gathered waist suspends a long sash with six more buttons, beaded trim and long, silvered fringe. The skirt is artfully gathered here opens to display a lovely panel of slightly different but very similar, machine lace and twelve more buttons on the slim, full-length hobble type skirt! (All buttons are there too.)

Condition:

I cannot rave enough about the unbelievable, sturdy condition of this dress! I just don't find them like this anymore! There's little to mention here- but I'm really picky, so this sounds more involved than it actually is- which is near to nothing in my opinion. The cotton netting is quite sturdy, appearing clean with 2-3? tiny tea colored spots on the innards (which fully lines this garment thankfully- down to the bottom of the skirt). One to two breaks in the cotton honeycomb. The hem is very clean. I find no obvious problem with any of the lace, which also seems sturdy.

All the applique beads appear amazingly strong and intact, although on one of the silvered scrolls (silvering is still vibrant and dark.) on the front either. The maker didn't add silvered beads- or the silvering wore off. (I think it was the maker since I see no evidence of silvering lost nor that this garment had ever been cleaned.) The extra-fine silk tissue has about 4" approx. 1/4" wearing spots on one shoulder near creases, and one on the other with a tiny snag and a few pinholes (picky, picky). I believe these can be easily mended since I don't believe the fabric is bad, but this was wear from its delicate nature. The only things I see are reddish age spots and wearing holes in the green gold sleeve ribbons. I think it should be replaced for sturdiness if this dress is going to be worn. All the rhinestones look great- one or too are slightly fogged but this is minor. Both sleeve and tail sash tassels are all there and absolutely fine. On one sleeve, one single fringe is gone and on the other up to three are missing. The dress silk appears even with little or no fading. There's a bit of extra light tannish soiling in the belt that almost is impossible to see. I checked all over skirt but could only see 4-6? tiny tannish spots (that may come out since I haven't attempted cleaning of any sort.) and some extra faint soil near the hem in a 2" spot. One very faint 1/4" ballpoint pen mark upon the knee. There's a fold mark that runs across the knees. I believe this can be steamed or pressed completely out (I didn't attempt any pressing which can set in stains and you may decide to clean the tiny spots or bring to an archival cleaner for absolute perfection. You can tell I didn't attempt pressing due to the nubbly, raised fabric grain of the silk crepe- not flattened.) No rust anywhere- closures are shiny, and firmly attached. A few tiny dark spots on the stiff canvas waistband and a number that says, "36."

This item is sold and no longer available.

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Estimated Current size Approx.:

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Size	Shoulders	Bust	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 (2-4)	14"	34"	22." Max	56."	Perfect.	Perfect.	None.	VERY EXCELLENT.	9 3/4

This item is sold and no longer available.

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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