{"product_id":"item-26-281","title":"Item 26-280","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":q0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":q1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":nf\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":zf\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":qn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":qo\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":vo\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":vp\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":151\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":152\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":na\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":qa\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":pu\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":qh\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":1ca\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":1cb\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":p3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":ne\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":qs\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":qt\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":1c4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":1c8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\":r8\" class=\"ii gt\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\":p1\" class=\"a3s aiL\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":ri\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":rj\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":pb\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":pc\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt\" id=\":ps\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":pr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"yj6qo\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFound in France, this is a fascinating and increasingly uncommon survivor….\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt appears to be an upper bodice or corsage from a late Victorian or early Edwardian evening dress, dating to approximately 1895–1910. Although it has suffered considerable deterioration, it still preserves many original features that reveal it was once a luxurious formal garment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bodice is made from a black silk damask or jacquard, woven with large scrolling floral motifs that become visible as the light catches the fabric. Black figured silk was a fashionable choice for mourning attire, evening gowns, and formal visiting dresses during this period. The wide, wing-like shoulder extensions are characteristic of the fashionable silhouette around the turn of the 20th century, when sleeves broadened dramatically before becoming narrower again after 1905.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe neckline is richly decorated with jet bead embroidery, including faceted jet beads, tiny seed beads, and what appears to be a large faceted black glass stone at the centre front.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe interior provides further clues to its construction. The bodice is lined with a sturdy woven cotton or linen foundation that gave structure to the garment, while the exterior silk was mounted over it. Along the back are metal eyelets for lacing, and in another area you can see hand-worked thread loops and hooks, indicating multiple methods of fastening. This combination was common in couture and high-quality dressmaking, where a fitted bodice was designed to mould closely over a corset.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnfortunately, the silk has suffered from weighted silk deterioration, a well-known problem affecting silk from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To give silk a heavier, richer drape, manufacturers often treated it with metallic salts such as tin. Over time, these chemicals weaken the fibres, causing the fabric to shatter into brittle fragments while the cotton lining and beadwork survive. The losses visible around the shoulders and lining are entirely consistent with this type of deterioration rather than poor storage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors of historic costume, however, this bodice is valuable not because it can be restored to wearable condition, but because it demonstrates the craftsmanship of turn-of-the-century dressmaking. The shaped panels, intricate hand-beading, figured silk, and internal construction all reflect the high level of skill involved in creating a fashionable woman’s wardrobe at the height of the Belle Époque. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt would make an excellent conservation piece, mounted on a padded support or displayed flat to preserve what remains of its remarkable workmanship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hq gt\" id=\":rg\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hq gt\" id=\":w0\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Forage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48873812820212,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/1621\/7332\/files\/unnamed-1_0a0d4837-8fcb-4581-98ca-b400b8be5e99.jpg?v=1784960451","url":"https:\/\/www.foragebylisamattock.com.au\/products\/item-26-281","provider":"Forage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}