#2130 $450
French embroidered/sequined silk stockings, c.1870-1880
These fancy late Victorian stockings are a special treat for the serious collector. It is rare to find a pair that has such exceptional detail and bold red color.
The decoration would not have shown under the long skirts of the period, but might have been seen by the lady's lover in the boudoir. See the 1877 painting by Manet below.
The stockings are machine knitted from fine red silk. The word Paris is incorporated into the knit at the tops. The decorative vines are hand embroidered with gold silk floss and embellished with bronze metallic sequins and gold bullion coils—see the detail pictures below.
The condition is almost excellent. I found just a few missing sequins.
The top of each stocking is marked "9o." The stockings are 9" long from heel to toe and 29" long from the top to the toe.
