Black Applique and Lace Bodice

Overview: This bodice has an intricate layering of fabric at the front of the garment.

Construction: This intricate bodice closes right over left, with the right side covering the entire front of the garment. The opening closes through the use of metal clasps across the bottom, side, and top of the openings. The bottom of the bodice is lined with a purple band of velvet 1 inch wide. This purple band ends in a gathered knot at the opening of the bodice, which has a metal clasp attached to the underside. The outer layer of the bodice consists of a black bobinette attached to a black silk faille. The front and back of the bodice at this layer are decorated with a floral bead pattern. The floral patterns consist of a brown stitched outline and internal gridding alongside small circular beads. Beads are placed at the intersection of the brown grids and are placed in swirling lines. Three rows of beads are arranged in rows alongside the shoulders and the center front. This black layer has a small opening at the center front, underneath which is a layer of white silk lace. This white lace emerges from the black layer and is arranged below the collar, extending 3 inches from the black. The white lace is arranged with white floralettes with smaller circular flowers arranged around them. Above the white lace layer is a ruffled lilac triangle at the center of the bodice. The bodice is about 18" from top to bottom. The bodice has two piece sleeves made of a base of black silk faille. There are six horizontal stripes of beading nearer to the shoulder of the sleeve, and there are remnants of black net underneath the beading. The cuffs of the sleeves are 8 1/4" in circumference. There are also traces of net left at the cuff. The collar of the bodice is made of the same purple velvet as the waistband. The velvet is folded three times, forming three bands. Three bands of stitching are present at the bottom and top of the collar. The velvet is gathered and folded into two downward triangles at the back. The collar is 16 1/4" in circumference. The interior bodice is not lined. There are thirteen smaller flexible bones around the body of the interior, ranging from 5 1/2" to 8". A brown belt is sewn into the interior above the waistline and has two metal clasps attached, which indicate there was once an associated skirt.

Provenance: Written in green lettering into the interior belt reads "Staples / CHICAGO"

Damage: The interior of the bodice has some stressed seams and visible wear. The fashion fabric is fragile.