Antique Victorian Doll Dress Petticoat Black Silk Beaded French Fashion 1800s For Sale

Beautiful and intriguing antique doll costume consisting of a black dress and coordinating undergarment/petticoat, acquired from the inventory of former antique dealers.

This is an unusually elaborate piece of early doll clothing and appears to have been made much like a miniature version of period women's clothing rather than as a simple child's doll dress.

The black dress is constructed from a patterned satin/silk-like fabric with a subtle woven floral design. It features a fitted bodice, long shaped sleeves, a dramatically full skirt, double gathered/ruffled treatment around the hem and elaborate dark beaded trim around the neckline.

A particularly beautiful detail is the vivid blue patterned fabric incorporated at the neckline and interior.

Included is the separate coordinating undergarment/petticoat shown in the photographs. It is constructed in contrasting cream, dark blue and vivid blue floral-patterned fabrics with extensive gathering and hand-finished details.

The interior construction is fascinating and shows considerable age, including period-style seams, linings, stitching and finishing

This outfit came to me as part of a box lot that had belonged to people who formerly operated an antique shop.

While examining the dress, I discovered an old handwritten inventory tag still attached to the sleeve. It reads:

#81 – $325

I have left this tag exactly as found.

I do not know when the tag was attached, how the previous dealer identified the garment, or what research may have been done when that price was assigned. The tag is therefore being presented as part of the item's history andnot as authentication or proof of valueBased upon the materials, construction, silhouette and decorative treatment, this appears consistent with antique Victorian-era doll clothing and may have been intended for a French-fashion-type or similar antique doll.

French fashion dolls of the 19th century were frequently accompanied by elaborate wardrobes, known to collectors as a trousseau. Period doll clothing can itself be highly collectible. PBS'sAntiques Roadshow, for example, describes the period clothing accompanying a circa-1868–1870 French fashion doll as an especially important part of the collection.

However, I have found no maker's label and cannot document the country of origin or exact date. I am therefore not representing this garment as definitively French, nor am I attributing it to a particular doll maker.

The fabrics have not been professionally fiber tested. Although portions appear consistent with silk/satin-type antique fabrics, exact fiber content is unknown.

The dress measures approximately18–19 inches from neckline/bodice area to the bottom of the skirt, as shown with the tape measure in the photographs.

Please use the photographed measurements rather than relying upon a particular doll size, as antique dolls vary considerably in body proportions.

This is an old textile and shows age.

There is wear and deterioration in areas, particularly around the neckline/interior, along with loose and missing beads, loose threads, fabric wear, discoloration and other imperfections consistent with age.

The interior and undergarment show additional age-related wear.

Nothing has been cleaned, restored or repaired by me.

I have intentionally left the garment exactly as found. Because antique silk and early textiles can be fragile, I would recommend that the new owner continue to handle it carefully.

Please enlarge and examineall photographs, including the interior construction, beadwork, undergarment, measurements and original dealer tag. The photographs are an important part of the condition description.

Sold as an antique collectible textile/doll costume and not for children's play.

An unusual survivor and a fascinating piece for the serious antique doll, French fashion doll, Victorian textile or doll-costume collector