SOLD

Tartan Boy's Dress/Shoes
1860s

Rather unsuual to find epaulettes on a boy's dress. Other signs of military influence are the front skirt horizontal strips of velvet finishing with buttons. Nice to have the shoes.

Cataloguing

The bodice with round neck, hand made Valencienne lace trimmed, epaulettes bound with velvet ribbons and four velvet covered buttons, the front with strips of similar velvet and five buttons, a double band of velvet at the waist, a pocket to the right hand side, long sleeves similarly edged and with lace, the flat fronted skirt with similar velvet in four bands  edged with buttons, the lower four hem bands right round the skirt, the back with seven button closure and hooks and eyes, the bodice lined with a small print cotton, the tartan made from a worsted wool.

The shoes of black leather, rounded toe, the back section with two eyelet holes and red silk ribbons

Shoulder to hem 24 in; 60 cm

Shoes toe to heel  6 in; 15 cm

Condition

There is a mark to the back of the left hand sleeve and a smaller one to the back of the right hand sleeve. The lace is rather stained. There is plenty of fabric at the inside waist to lengthen the bodice for an older child. The velvet trim is a little rubbed. A small patched area at front of skirt 1 inch  long. Another skilfully patched area to ther front bodice between two lengths of velvet. Few marks to lower hem. None of the markings really stand out, because the design is busy.

The shoes are very crackled, but feel sure they could be improved. For once the backs are not broken down!