Antique French Silk Embroidered Bodice with lace ruffled sleeves, made of divine silk brocade with beautifully embroidered florals including roses. From Lille, France, the sleeves are edged in ruffled French net lace, an abundance of ribbons, and set off with small pearl buttons. At on time this was used for the opera, according to the previous owner, and the ribbons were added for extra ornamentation.
The ribbons and perhaps the buttons are a later addition by the collector who displayed this on an antique mannequin. Hand sewn boning on the front, this is a tiny waisted bodice, there are miniscule openings in the back for "cinching" together, the original lacing is gone after all these years, a narrow ribbon has been substituted. Display on a decorative hanger or on your antique mannequin.
