Oh la la… wouldn’t this just make the fella’s swoon? This gorgeous bed jacket is made in a technique called Normandy lace where both lace and hand embroidery are incorporated together to form a whole. In this case the laces used were French Alencon (basically a Valencia lace in which the pattern is outlined with hand embroidery) in a rose pattern on the bodice and a grape pattern around the arms. The linen portion is hand embroidered with what appears to be either wheat or hops. It is made in a bolero style, cut short in the back and gently flowing down towards the center front. A narrow satin ribbon is threaded around the neck through frilly lace and ties in front at the neckline. Satin ribbons are repeated around the arms and in the center back to gather. In all honesty, as hard as I tried, the pictures don’t say a whole lot. This is one of those that you simply have to see in person. To say it’s a stunner would be more than an understatement. I’m going to abstain from giving you exact measurements as without the ribbons it goes on forever each way. The ribbons are used to gather it to fit the mannequin it’s displayed on and the mannequin is a size 6. My daughter (who is also a size 6) put it on and it fit her perfectly. It you loosen the ribbons it would fit a size 8. If you tighten them it would fit a size 4. The condition is absolutely perfect – bright white and absolutely no breaks in the lace. I can only guess that it was made for a bride as part of a wedding trousseau and probably never worn after her wedding night. It’s either Victorian or Early Edwardian and it's a miracle that somebody had the forethought to preserve it so carefully for further generations to appreciate. Sturdy enough for wear. A beautiful piece for display. There are oodles of pictures so be sure to scroll down and enjoy each and every one!
Hand laundered, air dried and pressed. Excellent condition c. 1880-20’s
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