1880's 2024 Heavily Beaded Black Caplet/ Victorian Mantel/ Opera or Mourning/ England

Exquisite 1880's black beaded caplet or mantel. This was purchased from the Crystal Palace in London, England and was bought by a Mrs. James J Bush while visiting. It was purchased in either 1888 or 89 and there is a hand written note from her sister in law, Eva Bush Mackie. This piece came into my possession in the early 1980's in Northern Nevada. It has been stored in an acid free box, but it does show some wear. The base fabric is a ribbed and could be gaberdine since it is heavy enough to accommodate the extensive beadwork front to back. The stand up neckline shows the most damage where the beadwork is all but gone, except for the back. It is also fraying at the top of the back collar. The shoulder beadwork is incredible and in very good condition with no holes. Here you have a network of seed beads that end with a beaded fringe around the base. Some of this fringe is either missing or hanging on by a thread. There are also beads hanging off of this with what look to be arrow ends. There is a black Moire ribbon and bow at the neckline and hooks and eyes for closure. The lining is a black silk and this is in bad shape, but only in the center of the back. The rest is still intact and provides a backing for the netted shoulders. This is a stunning caplet and I was lucky to get i along with some history of who it belonged to and where it was purchased from.
Total length from shoulder it base of fringe is 15 inches.
Measuring across from shoulder to shoulder is 17 inches.
Bust would be roughly 32 /34 inches.
Neck opening is 14 inches.


Please note: I DO NOT SHIP OVERSEAS OR INTERNATIONALLY UNLESS CONTACTED FIRST BY THE BUYER AND AN AGREED SHIPPING COST IS APPLIED 2024 TO THE ITEM IN QUESTION.
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