What IS this? Clothing?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by David Askett, Mar 29, 2020.

  1. David Askett

    David Askett Well-Known Member

    This item was found with a bunch of items from the mid-1800’s. It appears to be linen, with embroidered decoration. I’m thinking it might be a collar for a lady’s dress, but that’s just a guess. Hopefully somebody out there knows!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  2. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I think it's a wrap for flatware.
     
  3. ulilwitch

    ulilwitch Well-Known Member

    Hmmm, I could take a lot of guesses like bible cover, a table scarf w/front drop, or a fancy diaper cover. Ha ha. I really do not know but it is very pretty. I hope someone knows so that I will stop guessing.
     
    judy likes this.
  4. David Askett

    David Askett Well-Known Member

    Many thanks for your replies. I’ve been Googling photos of all your suggestions and, if I find a good match, will post it here. In the meantime, here’s a photo of ladies wearing the type of collar I was thinking it might be.

    [​IMG]
     
    judy and ulilwitch like this.
  5. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Maybe to go over the back of a chair ? As an aside,that chick in the middle looks like she will cut you !
     
  6. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Yes, could be an antimacassar. Certainly not a Victorian collar. 20th century. 20s? 30s? Would have been made from a pattern.

    Debora
     
  7. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Wondering why the antique photograph has rust where the broaches are on all 3 ladies' necks? Does anyone with old photo experience know? Maybe they glued something onto the photo there?
     
    JayBee likes this.
  8. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    For some unknown reason, it appears that butterflies were a popular design for antimacassars.

    Debora

    il_570xN.1300106607_6i67.jpg images.jpg Unknown.jpg
     
  9. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    antimacassar - learned a new word, thanks Debora!
     
  10. flipper

    flipper Striving to face adversity with tact and humor

    Finally found one in the same shape
    [​IMG]
     
  11. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Pretty, flipper, looks like tatting?
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  12. David Askett

    David Askett Well-Known Member

    An antimacassar it is! Many thanks for identifying it, Debora, and to Flipper for finding the photo of a similarly shaped example.
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  13. flipper

    flipper Striving to face adversity with tact and humor

    I only have one little nagging question.....
    Why is the butterfly upside down? :bookworm:
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  14. HippAntiques

    HippAntiques Well-Known Member

    I've never heard of a antimacassar either! Interesting!

    My Grandma used to embroider things like this for our dressers and tables. She would crochet other things for the back of the chair and arm covers. But they weren't shaped like this. She just did rectangles and squares. lol

    I still have some of her doilies and dresser covers, and I use them! (I don't put them on my chairs though. They wouldn't stay there due to rambuncious cats.) lol
     
    pearlsnblume and kyratango like this.
  15. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    OOOOOOH, 'The Bad Seed'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  16. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    MY thought.....someone tried to darken them a bit so they'd show up in the picture more.............
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
  17. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    Those are Civil War era ladies; they probably knew how to put the hurt on someone if they lived anywhere near the battle areas or just out in the back woods. (those ladies probably slaughtered their own meat.) The rusty areas may be where someone applied a tint or color to the brooches. I've never seen a hand tint rust before, but if it was metallic paint or something who knows.

    Antimacassars were made to protect furniture from macassar oil - guys put it in their hair as a styling agent. One guess what happened if it contacted fabric.
     
  18. HippAntiques

    HippAntiques Well-Known Member

    I think the longer part hung across the back, and the round part went up over the chair, where the head laid. So, if you hang it that way, the butterfly would be correct. ;)
     
    Houseful likes this.
  19. lvetterli

    lvetterli Well-Known Member

    Antimacassars were made in sets of 3, one for the back of the chair and one for each arm where your hands would rest.

    Linda
     
    ulilwitch, antidiem and Bakersgma like this.
  20. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I still don't think it's an antimacassar.
     
    ulilwitch likes this.
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