Provencal Work Skirt In Cotton Dite Chemin De Fer Exceptional Condition - Provence 1860-1890

Circa 1860-1890 Provence Var Beautiful work skirt or flower girl's skirt from the Var (as many late 19th century photographs show) in hand-woven cotton called Chemin de fer in Provençal literature. Original period assembly with flat pleats and front tightening drawstring in beige cotton twill bias. Background in madder red or cochineal woven with fine Indigo stripes. Plain weave with horizontal fluted ribs of the Gros de Naples type in the 18th century lexicon. In new antique condition, never used. Exceptional state of conservation and color. Dimensions: Height 90 cm, skirt bottom 280 cm. I am selling four skirts from my private collection (not those of my ex-wife so as not to have any problems!). They are from the Var, collected on site in private collections or Bastides. The others will be published as they become available. This type of overskirt or underskirt is listed at the Musée des ATP in Draguignan and was published in the 1970s thanks to the RODE de Basse Provence. They can of course be worn, but also simply collected... In testimony to French Folklore.