Antique-Gown

DELBARRE Evening Gown, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, ca. 1897

Pale yellow moiré evening or ball gown, bodice and trained skirt having a panel of white satin embroidered with pink and yellow roses, large appliqués of lace scattered with brilliants, flanked in Carrickmacross lace, bodice having ruffled chiffon sleeve and trimmed with white beads and gold cord. Petersham label (Mme) "Delbarre, Elizabeth Street, 73. Eaton Square" (London). Good to very good condition. Flaws: Seam separation, tears and holes in chiffon, missing a bow at neckline, third chiffon ruffles removed from sleeve but retained, some discoloration to skirt back, small spots, bead losses, hem edge soiled and worn, age-toning to lace, lining shattered. The decoration is not included.

Worn by Miss Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in "The Woman in Fashion", 1949, plate LXXI and LXXII, page 132. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (9 December 1915 – 3 August 2006) was a German-born Austro-British soprano. She was among the foremost singers of lieder, and was renowned for her performances of Viennese operetta, as well as the operas of Mozart, Wagner and Richard Strauss. After retiring from the stage, she was a voice teacher internationally. She is considered one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century (Wikipedia).

Provenance: Helen Larson Collection (purchased from Doris Langley Moore). Helen Larson was a collector based in Whittier, California. She owned a successful film costume rental business and amassed a world-renowned private collection of historic fashion. She was a brilliant connoisseur and historian.

Bust: ~ 90 cm
Waist: ~ 74 cm
Front Length: ~ 150 cm
Back Length: ~ 170 cm