Beautiful black and gold antique dress in like new condition

Discussion in 'Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing' started by Jax Moving and Storage, Apr 21, 2017.

  1. Mansons2005

    Mansons2005 Nasty by Nature, Curmudgeon by Choice

    If that is a tag that reads "Henry Ford Museum", it is probably a replica purchased at said museum. I have no idea how old the museum is, so I can't help actually date the garment.
     
    yourturntoloveit, komokwa and judy like this.
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I thought the dress was on top of something from the Henry Ford Museum, the reverse side.
    Jax, could you take a picture of the dress on a mannequin or a hanger?
     
  3. quirkygirl

    quirkygirl likes pretty old things

    It's a little hard to see from your photos, but does that dress have 2 layers of material? It looks (to me) like a sheer black fabric with dots over top of a solid beige/taupe fabric with a slight silk-like sheen. It appears as if the lace at the collar has sequins sewn on it ... are the 'dots' on what I think is sheer black fabric also sequins or are they tiny fabric tufts (as in a dotted Swiss)?
     
  4. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    The museum tag is on the blanket under the dress rather than the dress itself. It appears to be what vintage clothing dealers call a Lucy dress, or early Eisenhower era cocktail dress. Beyond that...dunno.
     
    yourturntoloveit likes this.
  5. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    With hook and eye closure? In the 1950s? That doesn't seem right. And by "Lucy" dress, are you referring to Lucille Ball-style dresses?

    Debora
     
  6. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    They had hooks and eyes further back than that; I've found them on items from the 30s. And yes, that's a Lucille Ball reference. Vintage clothing dealers use it as shorthand for mid-1950s dresses with natural waists and full skirts. That one looks like a cocktail/dinner dress.
     
  7. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    My point was that a 1950s dress would close with a zipper. It is not possible to ascertain the dress' era from the photographs but I don't see anything from its construction that says 1950s.

    Debora
     
  8. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I'm no one's expert, but a good look at the seams would help - the wrong side. Seeing it hanging would help too.
     
  9. So you guys want more pictures what exactly would you like me to take pictures of? And thank you so much for all the information
     
  10. You're correct the museum was on the blanket thanks for clarifying that for me
     
  11. yes you're right there is no zipper at all on the stress here are some more pictures thank you so much for the information. Now my question is.... is there a market for these antique dresses. I don't know what to do with it it's won't fit me and I would be afraid to even Put it on.
     
  12. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    There definitely is. The hook and eye setup in this can go back to the Victorian era, I looked them up, but this looks... I'm not sure. I'm still thinking 1950-something, but I've been all wet before. Pieces like this in good condition sell handily; if you have a good consignment store locally that has a good vintage section, I'd take it there. They get the headaches, and you get the money. I know people who positively POUNCE on dresses like that.
     
  13. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    At a (distant) glance, your dress appears to be from the 1910s and homemade. Can't tell from your photographs what kind of condition it's in but matters. Dress on left below dates to 1914 and, I'd say, same era. World War I-ish. FYI, for future, one factor in dating dresses is silhouette so start with a full length photograph of front.

    Debora

    1914 Dress.jpg c
     
    Christmasjoy and Bakersgma like this.
  14. What do you mean by Silhouette
    This is back I believe because this is where you hook it.


    And I believe this is front
     
  15. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Nope. You've got it backwards. Lace crosses in front. And the silhouette is the line of the dress, its overall shape.

    Debora
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  16. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    That's part of what had me fooled into thinking it was later. The collar plus three quarter sleeves. If that thing's pre-WWI the price just went up. Prices on pieces that age can range from $100 to thousands.
     
  17. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I agree - between 1910 and 1918.
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  18. Bev aka thelmasstuff

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    And I think those silver hooks are replacements because the original ones would have been black and not sewed on with thick white thread. I'm going to go with 1910-20 as well. It seems to be in fairly decent shape, too.
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Beautiful black
Forum Title Date
Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing Beaded hand-made French purse w/beautiful pattern Any info? Thanks Aug 22, 2021
Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing I'm a guy but I had to buy this beautiful vintage(?) Lillie Rubin Silk & Sequins Dress - any info? Apr 5, 2021
Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing I have a BEAUTIFUL extra large antique Kalaga Oct 31, 2020
Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing Beautiful vintage embroidered lined blanket Oct 1, 2020
Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing HELP IDENTIFY MAKER - BEAUTIFUL LADIES LEATHER w/FRINGE MOTORCYCLE JACKET Mar 3, 2020

Share This Page