#2442 $800
Hand-embroidered filet lace dress, 1920s
This lovely dress offers the best of both worlds. The simple unstructured style is strikingly modern; the abundance of fine hand embroidery and handmade filet lace is a treasure trove of antique needle art.
Hand embroidery on a net ground has been an art form for centuries. It became especially popular with the introduction of machine made nets in the second half of the 18th century. By the year 1800, net grounds were perfected to be durable over time, providing the ideal foundation for embroidered textile art.
Made from sheer white cotton voile, the dress will retain its pristine white crispness on a hot summer day. It slips over the head with no closures. I love the contrast of the black-and-white satin stitch embroidery to the textured filet lace.
The bold, pseudo-heraldic, embroidered motifs on the bodice capture the attention of the viewer. They are the modish insignia of the wearer who belongs to the aristocracy of style, a special cadre of fashion initiates whose smart attire always attracts admiring glances.
The condition is almost excellent. The dress, clean and ready to wear, just shows gentle use.
It measures: 40" bust, 36" waist, 44" hip, 20" from the shoulder to the drop waist, and 44" from the shoulder to the hem.
