#0930 $1,600
Linen Battenberg lace coat, c.1910
This coat features high quality construction, a fine lace pattern, and a dramatic cut. I love the flared shape and puffed sleeves. The gracefulness and refinement of the style make it wonderfully versatile, either as evening wear or a wedding coat.
Straight pre-made hand woven tapes were used in lace patterns as early as the 17th century. The technique became popular in the late 19th century with the introduction of machine woven tapes that could be purchased and hand assembled. The linen fibers in the lace have a natural stiffness ideal for holding the shape. The coat will never be limp and lifeless.
Ladies' magazines like Harper's Bazaar promoted the leisure craft of lace making with an endless supply of patterns and instructions. The name Battenberg, used to describe a particular pattern, became generic, probably because it sounds prettier than tape lace.
The coat is fashioned from linen machine woven tapes hand assembled with needle lace stitches. Like all hand assembled laces, the lace in this coat was assembled as a whole piece with no unsightly side seams. The color is natural linen—very pale creamy beige. There is no closure.
The coat should also appeal to serious collectors because of the large and varied motifs pleasingly arranged. The intricate lace patterns convey a sense of stylish design at its elegant best.
The condition is excellent. It is clean and ready to wear.
The coat flares out from a 52" bust. It is 44" long from the shoulder to the front hem.
