Antique-Gown

 
Wow. What a coat. An icon from the house of Worth. Paris, ca. 1901, designed by Jean-Philippe Worth. The label is unfortunately missing; it has probably fallen off over time or was deliberately removed. There is an identical coat in the Met Museum, New York (2009.300.64). However, this coat is green. The fabric for both coats was specially made for the House of Worth. A very elaborate fabric. The coat we are presenting here is made of dark lilac velvet. Long sleeves with fur trim. Original fur collar. Front fastening with a hook and eyelet. Lined on the inside with color-coordinated silk. The coat is shorter than the one in the museum in America. It was not subsequently shortened (or so it seems). It was probably cut shorter from the outset at the wearer's request. Perhaps it was intended for an opulent dress with a long train. In good to very good condition. The fur is a little “shaggy”. A few micro tears in the fabric. A three cm long crack. The decoration is not included.

Jean-Philippe Worth began as an assistant to his father, Charles Frederick Worth, in 1875. Gradually he was allowed to create his own designs and when his father died in 1895, he became the lead designer for the house. He was praised for making elaborate artistic gowns with intricate trimmings on unique textiles, much like his father had before him. Although the House of Worth was still favored by royalty and celebrities through the turn of the century, their styles were no longer the forefront of French fashion after 1900. Around 1910 Jean-Philippe limited his design work to important orders and hired his nephew, Jean-Charles Worth, as the new lead designer before leaving the company entirely after World War I (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159193).
Source image with green coat: www.metmuseum.org

Length: ~ 120 cm