Antique 1860s Plaid Silk Taffeta Pagoda Sleeve Bodice with Cobalt Blue Accents, Civil War Era Fitted Bodice with Dramatic Pointed Hem, XXS

Exceptional antique Civil War–era bodice dating to the 1860s, crafted in crisp silk taffeta woven in a dark brown plaid with creamy white and vivid cobalt blue accents. The bodice features dramatic pagoda sleeves with a short upper tier trimmed in gathered cobalt blue plaid and a finer black (or deep charcoal) and ivory plaid trim, repeated again along the pagoda sleeve hems for a beautifully cohesive look. The front closes with hook and eye fastenings and is decorated with 26 non-functional crochet button ball accents in cobalt blue (13 on each side), adding striking color.

The silhouette is sharply tailored with dramatic center point hems at both the front and back, paired with excellent period seam-work including princess seams shaping the back. The interior is lined in fine glazed cotton with hidden interior boning, and the interior sleeve linings are finished in brown glazed cotton with deep cobalt blue silk trim at the interior hems. 

Label: None
Content: Silk taffeta, glazed cotton, cobalt blue silk

Best Fit: XXS
Underarms: 31”
Waist: 23” (6 1/4” down from underarm seam)
Front Length: 18 1/2”
Back Length: 17 1/2”
Shoulder Width: 18”
Sleeve Length: 20” (measured from dropped shoulder seam to hem point)

Please note: this measurement reflects the typical dropped-shoulder construction of the 1860s.

Condition: Good.
Overall in good condition for its age and era. The silk taffeta shows light to moderate wear, including some small scattered areas of wear and minor pinholes. There is visible darkening to the exterior silk at the underarms. The interior lining shows prominent perspiration rings/staining at the underarms, as shown in the photographs. Interior sleeve lining is brown glazed cotton with deep cobalt blue silk trim at the interior hems. The bodice presents beautifully and remains structurally sound.

Enjoy! #23-362

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We love international customers! All international buyers will need to pay their countries CUSTOMS FEES/DUTIES as these are out of my control. 

**EU and NI customers: starting December 13, 2024, General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) will go into effect for all shipments. What this means for you? Unless the item is antique (100 years of age and/or older), I will not be able to fulfill your order as I DO NOT have a physical location/address in the EU.**