Date: c. 1900s
Origin: Made in France for the USA market
Fabric: Silk satin outer, cotton lining
Brand: C. T.
A luxurious Parisian corset by ‘C.T.’, created for an American department store at 13th & Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. At the time it was relatively common for French corset makers to export to the American market. This example has an exterior of cream silk satin and is lined with cotton coutil. It is structured with a mix of baleen and flat steel bones, with additional panels of cording at the bustline. Bone channels are profusely embroidered with flossing motifs to secure the bones within.
The corset is embellished with a silk ribbon slot lace trim at the bust line and oversized silk bow at the centre front. The busk fastening is stamped with laurel motifs. The interior of the corset reveals a cotton waist tape that dips at the centre front, stamped with the corset brand, style name (‘Stella’), origin and point of sale. The lace trim at the bustline has been hand stitched to the corset. The centre back panels are lined with silk satin.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
