Art Deco Brocaded Ribbons
French, 1920s

Dazzling cubist-inspired patterns adorn each brocaded ribbon. These modernist ribbons would enhance any collection of early 20th century design. Each design is available in several different color ways. Sold by the yard; please inquire for availability, prices or photographs of additional color ways.

Small purses, often called sweet meat bags, were given as tokens of affection by ladies of the leisure class. This example, embroidered in polychrome silk thread with metallic-wrapped thread and sequin details, shows a variety of motifs against an ivory satin ground. Each side is densely covered with florals including a pansy, a cornflower, a rose, a carnation, and a lily; foliage, a fruiting tree, animals and insects—including a crouching rabbit and a squirrel eating a nut on mosswork mounds, butterflies, a bird, and a caterpillar—complete the whimsical composition. The sweet meat purse closes with a green silk cord drawstring with green & silver metallic thread tassels, and is embellished with three small silver metallic thread tassels at the lower edge.

Silk Moiré Bridal Shoes
English, 1782

Finely-knit blue silk stockings, with polychrome long-and-short stitch shaded silk floss embroidery on each side of the stockings. Salmon, ivory and blue stripes finish each end; seamed down center back and under heel and arch. A similar pair of stockings are seen in Nancy Bradfield, Costume in Detail (1997), p. 8.

Condition: Some small holes and minor repairs.

$2,500
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An integral part of the fashionable eighteenth century woman's costume, the stomacher filled in the front opening of the dress, accentuating the narrow, pointed waistline in vogue during the period. Cream-colored linen serves as a neutral ground for lustrous yellow silk embroidery; the carnations and other exotic flowers were most likely inspired by Indian painted cottons and embroideries, and the vermiculated pattern is typical of Queen Anne period needlework.

$3,000

Buckles replaced ties as the fastening for shoes in the 1740s. They were made from a variety of materials such as steel, gilded brass or silver, and were generally rectangular, square or oval in shape. Silver buckles were often cast and then chased to add details. Buckles such as these could have been worn by women or men.

A colorful kerchief such as this example, with its bold checker-board pattern, would have added a fanciful touch to a man's casual day attire. In addition to the print chosen, the personality of the wearer could also be expressed in the way in which the kerchief was tied about the neck.

$650