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1830s dress

#c294         $1,975

Romantic period cotton print dress, 1830s. With its exaggerated gigot sleeves and dainty pleated bodice, the dress is an excellent example of full blown Romantic styling. The gigot sleeves make the waist appear smaller, emphasizing the curves of the female figure. In the winsome floral print, red and blue flowers seek out the caresses of the summer sun.  NEW LISTING

Directoire silk dress

#2017       $2,400

Directoire silk gauze dress, c.1805. Fashioned from gossamer silk gauze woven with the Neoclassical stripes then popular. The draped folds and lace appliqués on the short puffed sleeves show masterful design. A rare fancy period dress with the original trim.

regency baby bonnet

#1855         $350

Hand-embroidered infant's bonnet, c.1800. Fashioned from sheer cotton muslin with insets of needle-run tulle. The purity and restraint of textured white stitches on a sheer white ground perfectly suited the Neoclassical aesthetic.

Regency boots

#1076      $985

Damask gaiter boots, 1830s. Featuring deep green damask uppers lined with ecru cotton canvas twill and foxed with black leather. The boots lace up on one side with the original lacings. Though impractical for serious walking, gaiter boots make the foot appear dainty and genteel. NEW LISTING

Regency silk dress

#6552       $1,100

Silk damask dress, c.1825-1830. This lovely silk damask dress is transitional between the low-cut, straight empire dresses and the fuller skirts, higher necklines, and gigot sleeves of the Romantic period. The directness and integrity of the overall design have an enduring charm and resonance. NEW LISTING

1830s embroidered skirt

#1799       $850

Tambour-embroidered summer skirt, 1830s. The cheerful innocence of the embroidered red berries on the vine is endearing, while the depiction of the looping, sinuous vines is masterful. Here we see nature wearing her gay wardrobe to celebrate the coming of spring. The berries are done in wool floss and the white leaves in cotton floss. Completely hand sewn.

Regency homespun dress

#6526       $2,950

Rare bottle-green homespun dress, c.1825. Probably homemade from homespun fabric in a rural area as an attempt to reproduce the latest fashionable style. A special find for the serious collector because it is both rural homespun as well as a serious effort—with modest success—at fashionable clothing.

Regency silk shawl

#6568         $1,400

Regency silk damask shawl, c.1820. The color is either muted or glowing, depending on the light. The stylized floral pattern, influenced by Kashmir shawl designs in vogue in the early 19th century, is softened by the pastel coloring. The shifting hue—rose to peach—gives vibrancy to this magnificent shawl.

18th century purse

#1939       $1,200

Embroidered silk purse, c.1790. Made from raspberry silk taffeta and lined with pale peach taffeta. The unfaded color is remarkable. Hand embroidered in chain stitch with beige floss.

18th century pocket book

#1846         $1,900

Metallic embroidered pocket book, mid 18th century. Fashioned from muted turquoise silk damask and lined with aqua silk. The subtle color scheme of the pocketbook is brought to life by a marvelous variety of texture in the embroidery.

18th century lady's waistcoat

#1822       $2,400

Brocaded silk lady's waistcoat, c.1770. The ripe peach hue is gorgeous! The silk ground is covered with brocaded flowers in shades of rose, green, blue, and ivory. What a delicate, feminine floral design!

18th century man's coat

#1819       $4,950

Gentleman's silk top coat, late 18th century. The coat is all original. The condition is almost excellent. An extraordinarily fine, historically significant, example of men's formal clothing.

18th century stomacher

#1381      $3,700

Rare linen stomacher, c.1730. Hand-embroidered with polychrome silk floss and metallic floss and in original unaltered condition. An important and very rare piece of fashion history.

#2196       $1,400

Chenille embroidered satin waistcoat fronts, mid 18th century. The embroidery artfully balances positive and negative space in the fern-and-floral motif to achieve a rich and complex design. A superb example of textile art.

Regency child's dress

#2177       $950

Cotton print child's dress, c.1815-1820. The sleeves and hem are edged with Van Dyke points of plain ivory cotton, an enormous amount of work, since it is all hand sewn. The meticulous attention to detail is impressive.

early 19th century slippers

#1840       $2,200

Rare Native American deerskin slippers, c.1820s. Although these moccasins have the European shape rather than that of the traditional moccasin, Indian moccasins from the 1780s already show a European design influence. An important early American artifact.

Romantic period child's shoes

#1075      $975

Child's printed cloth, heelless shoes, c.1830. Black leather foxing and tie closures make charming finishing touches. Remarkably good condition for such an important historical artifact.

men's embroidered slippers

#2079       $1,950    Sold

Embroidered wool slippers, c.1840.  The exuberant strawberry embroidery deviates from traditional rules of proportion. The strawberries are also raised above the surface with thick padding. A design that is alive with energy.

Regency infant's dress

#2177.5       $650

Infant's hand-embroidered dress, c.1815-1820. Lovingly decorated with fine hand embroidery, tiny tucks, and bands of pointed trim. There runs through the artless decoration a charming vein of simplicity. 

Regency lady's waistcoat

#1821       $2,400

Provençal hand-quilted waistcoat, c.1800-30. Hand quilted with a diamond pattern of perfect little stitches. The brilliant marigold hue has long been associated with Provençal plant dyes of wild sumac, saffron, and sunflower petals.

18th century purse

#6159       $2,500

French hand-embroidered silk purse, c.1750. A delightful marriage of sculpture and surface decoration. The color palette displays a subtle artistry: the saturation of the reddish-orange hue gradually intensifies from flower to flower, moving from pink-orange to light-copper to roseate-orange.

Regency satin boots

#1000      $385 

Silk satin half boots, c.1830. The side-lacing boots are lined with ivory linen and have no heels. Narrow half-boots of delicate satin made the foot appear smaller, more shapely, and feminine. The American Peterson's Magazine wrote (1855) that "nothing can be more elegant than a pure white or black satin shoe." 

18th century lady's shoes

#1891         $4,000

Silk/damask shoes, c.1780. Fashioned from beige silk damask woven with a monochromatic pattern of narrow stripes and bouquets of small flowers. Neoclassical design at its best: elegant but restrained.

pre Civil War braces

#1676       $650

Petit point embroidered braces, c.1850. What magnificent petit point embroidery on these stylish braces, the progenitor of modern suspenders! The perfect gift for the man in your life.

Romantic period cotton dress

#1643       $1,700

Cotton print day dress, c.1830 Wonderful Romantic-period features: full skirt, shoulder details, large gigot sleeves. The dainty cotton floral print design features filigreed ferns in charming floral setting.

early 19th century chemise

#1756       $550

Lady's linen chemise, c.1820-1830. The hand embroidery of the neckline, sleeve edges, and monogram lend a winning charm to the shift. Even if your initials are not "AF", this chemise may be meant for you!

gentleman's Neoclassical waistcoat

#1683       $1,600

Gentleman's hand-embroidered silk waistcoat, c.1790-1805. Lavishly decorated with a floral pattern of polychrome silk floss. A stunning example of beautiful hand-embroidery in men's wear from two centuries ago.

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