Circa 1780
France
A blue Nattier brocade taffeta A la française dress, consisting of a coat and skirt, typical of French fashion under Louis XVI around 1780. Coat with Watteau pleats at the back, open at the front to reveal a stomacher and small three-quarter-length pagoda sleeves with two flounces. Very fine blue Nattier silk taffeta with a design of cascading garlands of flowers. Wavy, puffed, pleated and crenellated flounces, particularly on the sleeves, on the front of the coat and on the skirt with four rows of flounces. Original unbleached linen lining on the bodice, the rest of the coat being partially lined with absinthe green silk taffeta and cream chintz. The skirt waistline was altered in the 20th century to allow for reuse. Note that the taffeta has been reinforced by a professional workshop, particularly on the shoulders and at the bottom of the train, and that there are some very slight weaknesses in the silk, which do not affect its stability or appearance. Good overall condition. The rigid white whalebone bodice is not included in this sale.
Dimensions: Modelled on a size 36 French dress form. Coat height 140 cm, back height 165 cm, shoulders 39 cm, sleeves 42 cm, chest 90 cm, waist 75 cm, coat circumference approximately 300 cm.