Antique-Gown

Empire Pelisse Coat, ca. 1820

Very rare pelisse or coat from the Empire Era, ca. 1820. Provenience: England. A pelisse was originally a short fur lined or fur trimmed jacket that was usually worn hanging loose over the left shoulder of hussar light cavalry soldiers, ostensibly to prevent sword cuts. The name was also applied to a fashionable style of woman's coat worn in the early 19th century. In early 19th-century Europe, when military clothing was often used as inspiration for fashionable ladies' garments, the term was applied to a woman's long, fitted coat with set-in sleeves and the then-fashionable Empire waist.
This pelisse is made of silk (with a purple shimmery touch). Wide an exceptional collar. Long sleeves with cuffs. High waistline. Ruffled parts in the shoulder areas. Train. Coats with train are extremely rare to find, but they are typical for the English Empire fashion (not for the French fashion). Lined with cotton. Very good condition taken in consideration of age and fine materials. Maybe the pelisse was made of a shiny purple silk. The colour is a little bit bleached out. A few stains. Some abrasion in the collar area. All this does not diminish the imposing appearance from this unique antique coat. The decoration is not included.

Waist: ~ 24"
Bust: ~ 29"
Front Length: ~ 56"
Back Length: ~ 62"