Embroidered Silk Satin Braces
ca. 1860 and ca. 1890s

Men’s braces of the nineteenth century were often highly decorative accessories. Both of these pairs are embroidered in silk thread on satin grounds, primarily in satin stitch, with stylized florals and foliage on asymmetric, meandering stems. One pair features flowers in delicate shades of blue and green on cream (ca. 1860), while the other features flowers in shades of pink and green on pale gray (ca. 1890s). On the latter pair, the filigreed brass slides are stamped on the front with the date “1889” and on the back with the maker’s name, “Wilson Bros.”

Two pairs of delicately embroidered nineteenth century men’s braces, made by the American firm, Wilson Brothers. Like the men’s waistcoats of the period, these are highly decorative and would have complemented the richly patterned, colorful waistcoats with which they would have been worn. These lively examples, one in pale blue with polychrome thread, the other in cream satin, are patterned with blooming flowers on asymmetric, meandering stems. On the former, the delicacy of the embroidery is nicely offset by white leather straps and filigreed brass slides. Its slides are also stamped, “1889” on the front and “Wilson Bro. Make” on verso.

$450 / $350
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Embroidered Ivory Satin Wallet
English, ca. 1780

This elegant wallet, or letter case as they were known in the eighteenth century, conveys the luxuriousness of wealthy women’s accessories. The delicate, entwined floral trail and oval medallion enclosing the initials “F.P.” are embroidered in gold metallic purl and sequins, crimson and gold foil, and faceted glass; tiny false pearls surround the metal clasp. On the back, a single stylized flower-head with swirling floral sprigs is also worked in purl, sequins, foil, and pearls. These types of accessories were often made by women of the leisure classes and attested to their embroidery skills. In 1779, Queen Charlotte presented Mary Delany with a pocket case that she described as “…most beautiful…the outside white sattin work’d with gold, and ornamented with gold spangles.”

$2,500
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Purse of Printed Silk Satin
Designed by Raoul Dufy (1877–1953)
"DEAUVILLE"
French, ca.1925

A handsome purse made from one of Raoul Dufy's iconic Art Deco textile designs, printed by the Bianchini-Ferier company. Dense pattern with seaside scenes including sailing ships, racing crews, large fish spouting water, trios of men in fashionable dress, houses, fishermen with nets, and sinuous trees in vivid jewel-tone hues. Pairs of griffin heads at meet at each end of the rounded rectangular frame, made of burnished brown celluloid; loop chain.

Multi-color Linen Sandals
American, 1930s–40s

Pair of Ladies Embroidered Garters
French, ca. 1800

Concealed under full-length gowns and petticoats, garters secured the stockings just above or below the knee.  In the latter part of the eighteenth century, short garters incorporating fine metal springs and buckles replaced long ribbons or bands that tied around the leg.  On a lightly padded ivory satin ground, a trailing vine with diminutive, stylized buds is worked in gradated pink-to-burgundy and light-to-dark green chenille threads, accented with tiny false pearls; along the sides, ivory chenille threads form a shallow, scalloped edging. This type of chenille needlework on garters, particularly fashionable around the turn of the nineteenth century, was in keeping with the restrained ornament of neoclassical dress.

$1,250
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Dresdenwork Fichu
English or French, 18th c.

An integral part of the fashionable eighteenth century woman's costume, the fichu—a triangular scarf—was worn wrapped around the neckline with the point arranged at center back. These feminine accessories could range from plain and practical to heavily embellished. This example is made of sheer white cotton mull and is decorated with scrolling floral vine and sprig motifs done in Dresdenwork, a whitework embroidery technique. Scalloped edges complement the refined design.

$1,250
SOLD

Pair of Men's Steel Shoe Buckles
British, late 18th c.

Buckles replaced ties as the fastening for shoes in the 1740s. They were made from a variety of materials such as steel, gilded brass or silver, and were generally rectangular, square or oval in shape. This pair has an openwork border of a guilloche scroll enclosing small rosette motifs.

$550
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