Date: c. 1900s
Origin: Unknown
Fabric: Silk brocade, silk velvet
Brand: Unknown, possibly custom made
A midbust corset that would have originally been a highly luxurious garment, but has been heavily worn and has suffered significant damage. It is created from only a single layer of fine silk brocade, a silk taffeta facing at the centre front and back and a silk ribbon waist tape, making this piece exceedingly flexible and lightweight. A silk velvet facing lines the entire bustline, a luxuriously soft and plush addition to the design. Much of the original fabric pile has now worn away.
It is structured with a mix of baleen and flat steel bones, some of which have torn through their silk ribbon bone casings. Decorative and functional flossing embroidery at these bone channels would have helped to secure bones in place. It fastened at the front with a steel busk, although the pin half of this fastening has since been lost. Metal eyelets at the rear are laced with silk ribbon. The corset is finished with a top edge trim of crocheted lace with silk ribbon slot. A decadent silk rosette finishes the centre front bustline.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
