item number #SOLD1049
Victorian 1889 EMBROIDERED Bustle PRESENTATION Gown with AMAZING Foster 1878 fancy Brocade gloves!
A magnificent, majestic presentation(? or other ceremony) 1888-1889 bustle gown with the most beautifully hand Embroidered over skirt with "Scrolled" framed with some type of fancy symbols that may be Monogrammed initials or in another language (possibly Russian? German? French?) or with a special significance. Also included, is a pretty and unusual pair of 1878 silk brocade and kid lace-up Foster gloves that came with this gown. (Date is stamped inside.) Although the items dates are different, they look truly dazzling together, so I didn't want to separate them.
This resplendent gown is made of a high-quality, heavyweight candlelight silk satin shell. The sheer, silk gauze bodice crossover, sleeves and over skirt are made of a cream, hair-fine novelty fabric, kind of a loose, silk organza open weave broadcloth, interwoven with some striped wefts of opaque cream silk. On top of this, there's extremely ornate silk satin completely hand stitched, scrolled flowers on the bodice, also on the skirt, with larger pattern motifs, large star bursts over Crescent moons (This was a popular Victorian motif.). There's also framed, "scrolled" boarders that have different symbols embroidered inside them. The largest framed symbols(?) in the low, center looks kind of like a monogrammed, "SSS." Two other frames have a marking inside that looks somewhat like, "LsL" (the small "s" appears to be crowned with three tiny dots). The other one has "LeL" (The "e" is backwards, again crowned with three more tiny dots.) The sides have very little embroidery as it's hidden by the heavy train. The hem has a very large and ornate, flowered border.
This beauty is actually a one piece gown. The fitted, whale boned bodice has long, deeply gored, formal cathedral length train built into it as if it were a Princess gown from the back, but the skirt and over-skirt are attached, tacked together at the hips. The neckline has the formal, modest evening plunging "V" in the front and back. The embroidered sheer fabric crosses over one side of the bust. The sleeves are moderately full for the period, with slight fullness with soft gathers at the top. The sleeves are the evening 3/4 length, retaining the original silk adjustment strings. The bodice is formally whale boned, with thick, piped edgings. Hook and eye double set of closures line the front. The ornate skirt is roomy, with lots of room for an aggressive back bustle, and of course, has the metal boned built-in bustle and "tightening" ties to hold up that train! LOL Hook closure. The inside is twilled tan mercerized cotton inside the bodice, retaining the original silk and "rubberesque?" guards that say, "Goodyears Silk Zephyrs, 2." The inside skirt is made of a fine, ecru cotton linen and both the skirt and train are underlined in pleated, gauzy buckram(?) and fancy 3" fine bobbin lace. Delightfully gorgeous- the very best. (Didn't I tell you it had all the delicious goodies? LOL)
Gloves: These fancy Foster gloves look as though they were made for this amazing gown but, they were actually made ten years earlier (although they came with this gown). (May have been owned by the same woman.) Made of softest white kid and fancy candlelight flowered silk brocade with Danish pull threads to make see through areas, the tie-ups are most unusual, with single ties and tiny brass "F" hooks that they wind around. The insides are blue stamped, "Foster, Pat'd June 10th, 1878." Make sure to look at the additional condition observations under the photo, and see the links as well- you don't want to miss this! Props (like the necklace and bustle are not included, nor for sale.
More photos and close-ups of the gown.
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... The silk-satin and brocade are strong. I find no weakness at all. The two silk tissue taffeta panels opening to the fold over bustle fabric have been replaced with the same self fabric for strength and wearablity. Unfortunately, Although the silk taffeta is amazingly intact (usually it's completely gone.) with only a few tiny separations or burs, and the color is very clean- no stains- and has been reenforced, care must be used when lifting the skirt (pick up from the back where the cotton is- not the silk tissue waist front- otherwise, the waist lining will tear.) and must be worn with supporting garments or the fabric will break down. One day I think the rest of the original silk taffeta liner at the top will need to be replaced. But for now, it is great, wearable with gentleness. A true "A" list gown. Although there are no tags that I've found, I wouldn't be surprised if Worth or another big maker didn't make this gown due to the strong shell architecture and high quality fabric. On the skirt lining there's a faint, minor amount of age spots and 4-6 on the under ruffle. Was well stored- can smell the reminiscent scent of cedar. Stunning, rare gown. One of the best- ever.
This item is sold and no longer available.
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Estimated Current size Approx.:
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| 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 | | Medium (0-2) | 12." | 28". | 22." | 59." | Good. | Good. | None. | Good. | 9. |
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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