This is an exceptional antique Maltese lace, mousseline cotton and embroidered blouse in very fine antique condition. This versatile piece has a breath-taking amount of work involved in the construction, which is entirely handmade and comprised of extremely detailed and well executed satin stitch embroidered panels. These panels are interspersed with antique Maltese lace that has also been styled into a high neck collar. The piece fastens to the rear with very dainty Mother of Pearl buttons. It can be worn either way with the buttons to the back or the front and really depends on the look that the wearer wants to achieve.

This almost certainly would have formed part of a wedding dress ensemble but it works extremely well as a separate and can be worn as a top, jacket or capelet. The condition for something of this age is absolutely extraordinary. We couldn't really count more than a handful of tiny breaks and will go over this before despatch and repair any that we find. We have enjoyed restoring this and the mousseline panels themselves are in wonderful condition. There is no damage of any note and this could be worn as part of a modern bridal trousseau and paired with other antique lace and silks or something fresh and modern. It is hard to date as often antique lace was repurposed many times over. Given the high neck and the dainty frilled cap sleeves we suspect that this dates from the Edwardian era. It is certainly no later and of course the panel work could easily be much earlier. It is freshly laundered and is a wonderful shade of white. Most suitable in its present shape for a UK size 6-8, US 2-4.

MEASUREMENTS:
BUST - 35 in. (88.9 cm)
WAIST - 37 in. (94 cm)
HIP - FREE
LENGTH - 16 in. (40.6 cm)
SHOULDERS - 14 in. (35.6 cm)