SALE Museum-Quality Victorian Silk Beaded Mourning Capelet ~ STUNNING French design

Clothing : Antique

 

While I've owned and seen many Victorian mourning and opera capes over the years, I've never seen such a glorious capelet as this gorgeous beaded Mantlet (short, sleeveless coat or cape).

The first and most obvious noticeable item on this capelet is the thousands and thousands of beads which have been painstakingly added to this beautiful cape. While not labeled, this particular piece screams Victorian French influence to me, both on the design and meticulous detail on the cape itself.

Interspersed between the heavenly beads are the AMAZING ornamental woven beads which cleverly elevate this cape to museum stature. If you look carefully at the woven bead design, you will see each bead is woven in a checkerboard weave on netting, in Diamond Formation (note the knotting to keep the silk beads in place). There are hundreds of these beads on the cape and they may be silk; just imagine the workmanship that this piece required!

The neckline of this cape encases the beauty beneath by encompassing the neck in a sheath of beads and lace meant to frame the face. There is a hand-beaded fringe surrounding the neckline, and as typical of a piece this rare, each beaded strand has been individually knotted at the end. The entire cape has its original Victorian hooks and ribbon and is marked on the interior with a label stating Size 40 (another indicator of European influence).

The cape also has some amazing surprises. Underneath the beading is black lace in a floral pattern; it appears to be Victorian Chantily lace on the top portion of the lace. In addition to the lace, it expands out, so the person wearing this confection may reach for objects (like your carriage) without ripping the cape or stretching the cape.

The box is another clue as to the original owner of this cape. It apparently was purchased from Chandler & Co in Boston, which was first founded in 1817. The business was originally founded in order to cater to the very wealthy of Boston, offering dry goods such as women's apparel and rugs.

Measurements: Neck: 13" circumfrance Shoulder seam to shoulder seam: 19" Top of neck to bottom of back: 19" Top of neck to bottom of front: 28" Bustline: 36"

As normal with a piece this rare, the occasional beaded strand or bead is missing. Some strands are missing beads, some have stretched and the thread is about to break; another common occurence. There is a 1/4" missing trim on the neckline. In spite of this, I would label this piece as being in Excellent condition. This is truly a foundation piece for a Victorian Mourning Collection.

Click on any photo to see a larger photo. This cape has not been cleaned.

*Moved to location BR-10 for storage.

Item ID: 10-1