Bodice, Blue Velvet with Black Beading | Mme D. Balme
1890s (Date manufactured/created)
A bodice in blue velvet, cream silk, and netting heavily embellished with black jet beading.
The bodice is striped with segments of blue velvet alternating with cream silk overlaid with net and beading. The sleeves are double puffed, the upper gigot in blue and lower in cream, net and beading. The tight lower sleeve in blue is trimmed with black beading. Bretelles cap the sleeves in a very elaborate pattern of beads and net over cream silk. The collar is high and pointed, trimmed with black beading also seen on the hem of the bodice. It closes at center front with alternating hooks and eyes.
The lining, of ribbed silk, is flatlined and faced in blue silk. It is boned at every side seam, dart, and at center front and back, 13 bones in all. Satin padding extends from the shoulder blades to the chest, to achieve the fashionable figure. A waist tape closes with two hooks and eyes reads, “Mme D. Balme, Robes, 23 East 9th St. N.Y.” Two large eyes are attached to the tape, to hook onto a skirt, now missing.
The beading is chiefly in a vaguely floral pattern, featuring small flowers with love hearts for petals.
Condition: Good. Some loss in mesh and beading. OL 18 1/4".Waist tape: 23"
CB seam: 17"
Collar height: 2.25" Collar length: 14"
CB seam: 15.5"
Hip (Bodice hem): 28"