1880s Beaded Lace Evening Garniture Mantle
Unlike most cloaks and capes of the late Victorian era, the purpose of this mantle would not have been a practical one. There is, and has never been a lining and the open design of the bead and lace work precludes its use for warmth making this piece purely ornamental. Obviously meant to compliment and add an opulent finish to the outfit of the wearer. Entirely beaded macrame with insets of floral lace. From the shoulders fall beaded ornaments emulating epaulets. These ornaments are repeated at the back where they would have fallen over a bustled skirt as well as at the fingertips. There is a petersham or waist stay sewn to the back waist line and fastening with hook and eye at the front behind the full length hook and eye closure. This is an amazing piece of workmanship.
Condition is excellent. There are a few missing ornamental drops in the back and on the shoulders. No breaks in the lace or bead work are evident and one very well done repair on the stand up collar at the closure.
Measures approximately 36" long at center front, 22" long at center back, 27" from shoulder to fingertip and 14.5" across the shoulders.
