Emerald-green Velvet And Gold-thread Brocade Spencer Jacket—russia Or The Balkans, Circa 1830

Circa 1830
Russia or the Balkans

Rare spencer or canezou, a women’s jacket in emerald green cut silk velvet, embellished with wide gold-thread brocade ribbons, dating from the 1830s. High-waisted cut, balloon sleeves with a wide collar turned down into a bertha, trimmed with fringe made of gold cord (some fringe missing). Pleated sleeves attached at the shoulders with slits at the cuffs, fastened with period clasps. Spencer fully lined with thick, rustic hemp. Probably from Russia, the Nizhny Novgorod region, and intended to be worn over a sarafan dress, as shown in the last photo, from the collection of Natalia Chabelskaya, presented at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair. Another likely origin is Eastern Europe or the Balkans. Period patina and fraying of the brocade at the cuffs; no holes or stains. Beautiful color and condition, considering its age. A rare item.

Dimensions: Equivalent to French size 34-35. Height 30 cm, shoulders 37 cm, sleeves 61 cm, bust 85 cm, waist 69 cm.