1920s Art Deco Sequined Tabard Dress
An amazing flapper dress, most likely of French origin, with a tabard of beaded and sequined tulle attached to an underdress of silk and handmade needle lace. This dress dates to the very early 1920s and though it appears to be two pieces, an underdress and tabard, they are attached at the shoulders as well as the upper bodice.
The tabard itself is made of black net that is entirely covered with hand beading, large paillettes and sequins. Centered on the front and back panels are a series of elongated medallions, worked mostly in bead work with accents of round and oval sequins. On the sides of the tabard panels you will find a checkerboard pattern with alternating sections of sequins, bugle beads and one inch square paillettes which entirely cover the net behind them. At the sides of the front panel are two beaded straps that connect in the back under the back panel forming a self belt. The square paillettes are used on the straps set on point forming diamond shapes alternating A fringe of tear drop shaped paillettes at the hemline make the perfect finishing touch. There is some slight discoloration of the net behind the beaded patterns. Basically a brownish color rather than black, that appear as though they were meant to be part of the pattern.
The underdress is made of black silk satin with panels of hand made needle lace inset at the sides where they are visible beneath the tabard. The lace is repeated across the front and back of the bodice as well as around the hemline. Back closure with hooks and eyes on the underdress and snaps holding the back of the tabard in place. Wispy panels of silk tulle are attached to the beaded shoulder straps forming a loop at the hemline.
Fully lined with two layers of a fine off white gauze-like netted material which is weighted around the hemline. The bodice is also lined with white cotton that provides the base for the hook and eye closure in the back. straps have a layer of the lining material as well with some soiling visible on the underside.
