1910s Whitework Fleur de Lis Print and Lace Dress

An extraordinary 1910s mousseline cotton lawn dress with handmade lace inserts and fleur de lis print. This antique, turn of the century lawn dress is a rare find and is in such extraordinarily vintage condition. It is made from the finest and softest mousseline cotton with a dainty grey tone all-over fleur de lis print. Fleur de lis is the heraldic emblem of the French nobility. The high waisted but not quite empire line bodice has a fabulous array of pleating and pin tucking and we believe the lace is "cluny torchon" bobbin lace. The trim runs in vertical bands and also decorates the waistband, high neck round collar and the ruffle running down the middle bodice seam. The sleeves are gently tapered and three quarter length with a wide lace cuff. The skirt element has pin tuck darting either side of the wider central panel with a gently shaped a-line skirt that falls to around ankle length. The skirt hem is trimmed with additional rows of cotton muslin to add some weight and detail to the bottom of the skirt. The dress fastens to the rear with real mother of pearl buttons interspersed with hooks and eyes.

Condition wise this is verging on extraordinary for a dress well over 100 years old - there are no breaks in the cotton, it is freshly laundered and the white is exceptionally bright. Not only is this dress in superb antique condition it is also a wearable size with a good waist and the structure is very sound. The dress will best fit around the UK size 8-10 US 4-6.


MEASUREMENTS:

Bust - 35 in (88.9 cm)
Waist - 28 in (71.1 cm)
Hip - 38 in (96.5 cm)
Length - 51.5 in (130.8 cm)
Shoulders - 15 in (38.1 cm)