Date: c. 1900-5
Origin: France
Fabric: Cotton coutil
Brand: Unknown
This corset is most notable for how finely constructed and lightweight it is. Made from just a single layer of soft grey herringbone coutil, with only 4 panels per side. Support is achieved almost entirely with steel boning, encased in external channels made of the same herringbone coutil cut on the straight grain. There are 5 5mm spiral steel wires per side, with the side seam channel encasing a flat 12mm steel bone that has been curved into shape. The centre back single-part eyelets are encased by 7mm width flat steel bones.
The corset closes at the front with a 5 loop and pin busk, with a narrow channel containing what appears to be reed supporting it on either side. The top and bottom edges of the corset have been bound in a cotton twill tape, and the top line is decorated with a cotton lace trim and blue silk ribbon slot that has been hand sewn to the garment after construction.
A pattern of this garment can be purchased here.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
