1797 French Metallic Brocade Bodice
This magnificent piece is a rare find as few have survived. Made of blue silk and silver metallic brocade that is lined with a selection of printed cotton fabrics. The top edge is bound with gold metallic and silk twill tape and the bottom edge with pink homespun. The inside facing that with the date inked on it is just a natural cotton. Heavy boning throughout. Entirely stitched by hand.
The top edge and center back is heavily embroidered and embellished in a floral pattern with gold metallic thread and sequins. A simple floral border runs around the top edge of the bodice with the back is more elaborately decorated with scalloped patterns and Van Dyked points as well as stalks of wheat springing from the heavy gold braid at center back.
Six sets of hooks for lacing the bodice closed are found just below where the straps would have come together. These hooks are shaped like grape clusters with the hook being formed by the stem end. A corset with similar hooks is pictured in the Eighteenth-Century European Dress collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. That example is made of green damask and shown worn with a stomacher.
Overall the condition of this piece is good to very good. There is wear to the brocade, notably on the center front flap that is worn underneath as well as at the right side. These areas are clearly shown in photos. Other minor wear is present but does not detract.
