Amazon Corsage In Silver And Gold Spun Cloth – England Or Europe Circa 1750-1760

Circa 1750 England or Europe Sleeveless bodice and long pleated basques in silver cloth, silver spun lampas. Rich polychrome silk brocade with a design of wild berries and undulating scrolls of gold thread. Clever fitted cut with long pleated peplums with matching buttons and front patch pockets inspired by men's wardrobe. Possible complement to a formal outfit for sports or a British amazon. Cut out at the front, this bodice was worn with a stomach piece or over a soft corset. Cream cotton lining. A few silver strips pulled, otherwise no stain or hole, the silver cloth has retained its tinsel. Very good condition of color and conservation. Dimensions: Equivalent to 12 year old girl size today. Shoulders 28 cm, chest 72 cm, waist 66 cm, height 60 cm. Published and exhibited in the 2023 Villa Roweek catalog. * “The body of workers in cloth of gold, silver and silk, formed in 1610, integrates within the same body the two branches of weavers, one – the velvet maker – is specialized in heavy fabrics , the other - the taffetassier - produces light fabrics. Taffeta was made in Lyon, Paris, Tours and Nîmes for the Kingdom of France, but also in England, Avignon, Spain and Florence. The plurality of names of these different taffetas tells us about the prosperity and specialization of certain European cities in the manufacture and trade of light silk fabrics: armoisin taffeta and “florence” come from Italy and are imported by Italian merchants in Lyon. Avignon made demi-armoisin and demi-florence, lighter than those of Lyon. The gros de Tours imitates and perfects the gros de Naples while the taffeta from England, considered in the 18th century as a fabric of exceptional quality, is also used by Lyon craftsmen. The diversity of places of production should not obscure the golden age of the “Great Silk Factory” in Lyon, reformed and modernized under the reign of Louis XIV by the decisive action of Colbert to distance itself from other European factories. » * extract from a publication from the Departmental Archives of Vaucluse - Avignon 2020