#2203 $1,650
Beaded bronze lamé overdress, c.1923
This sophisticated overdress has a simple, timeless style that is as much 2007 as 1923. The burnished metallic fabric with rich beading brings to mind the antique Oriental textiles that inspired early 20th century designers.
The tabard-style overdress slips over the head. Attached to one side, the cummerbund wraps around and snaps in place. One side of the tabard is completely open; the other side is open to the cummerbund. Tabard refers to the tunic that a knight wore over his armor. The tabard-style dress was an important transitional style from the late Teens to the early 1920s. Here is another transitional early 1920s style.
The overdress is decorated with crystal beads in shades of red, blue, rose, melon, and silver. The subtle color palette (2nd picture from the bottom) contrasts the pastel beading in the central design with the outline of cobalt blue beading and russet brown metallic fabric.
The artful opulence of the dress demands the attention of its audience: the flawless execution of the design has an aristocratic, almost regal elegance. This is a dress for a woman who prefers the company of her accomplished and congenial friends to the mob of the great world.
The condition is almost excellent. The fabric is slightly oxidized, which is part of the antique charm. The patina is the tribute that time pays to beauty.
One size fits all. The cummerbund can be adjusted to fit a variety of sizes by moving the snaps. The overdress is 50" long from the shoulder to the hem.
