VICTORIAN EMBROIDERED hot CAMISOLE - Richly hand embroidered French undershirt with ajour work

Richly hand embroidered French undershirt with ajour work circa 1900.

This absolutely gorgeous camisole is French and was purchased by my mother in the 70's. My dad distinctly remembers her wearing it as a camisole with pants in the summer.

It is a beautiful example of handmade open work and embroidery. The whole upper part of the camisole, including the shoulder straps, displays a handmade design of open work organized around two rows of white embroidered flowers and stems of leaves wrapped in repetitive swirls around them. The leaves are turned into openwork. The upper edge of the camisole consists of flowers whose petals are also openwork. A thin strap of white lace finishes of the top and bottom edges and runs along both sides of the straps.

At the waist, a band of embroidered openwork, this time, created of vertical strips, allows a contemporary ribbon of contrasting color, up to 3/4" wide to be woven through and tied in a bow on the front. Place your own ribbon for your preferred color of choice.

My grandmother would have had similar camisoles as undergarments, and would have worn then over a corset. It would explain why this item is for a woman with a small waist! I sadly can no longer wear it!

The camisole measurements flat are:
W: 12" (24" waist) at the waist and 17" (or 34" circumference) under the arms.
H: 16" at the from center and 19: from the top of the strap down.

It is in perfect hot condition, with no holes, tears or stains. When I had originally posted it it had perfunctorily been washed and shipped. I proceeded to wash it and am pleased to say that it is now pristinely white allover!

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https://www.etsy.com/shop/LAntiqueDemeure