Belle Époque French Stockman Dressmaker’s Mannequin c.1900 - 60¼"

This French female dressmaker’s mannequin by Stockman, Paris, circa 1900, displays the classic hourglass torso of the Belle Époque, its pronounced wasp waist still carrying the subtle imprints of the corseted dress designs it once supported. The original linen canvas cover remains in place with the printed Stockman mark at the hem, and areas at the back and shoulder show early, hand-done repairs likely made by the dressmaker who used it for decades. Set on an adjustable turned ebonized beech stand with tripod legs and a matching finial, it no longer stands perfectly straight, giving it the endearing tilt so often seen in well-worked atelier forms. Timeworn in an appealing, authentic way, it shows scattered stains, small holes, fraying at the shoulder and hem, and scuffs to the base.

Stockman forms became the benchmark for Parisian ateliers in the late 19th century, prized for their accurate proportions, durability, and their role in helping standardize sizing and fit within the emerging modern fashion industry. The wasp-waisted silhouette reflects the corseted styles of the Belle Époque and early Edwardian periods, when couturiers draped and fitted bodices directly on such busts. The Bté S.G.D.G. mark denotes a patented French model and speaks to the company’s celebrated savoir-faire, which supplied fashion houses and dressmakers across France and far beyond.

As a decorative accent, it brings authentic atelier character and a beautifully timeworn, nostalgic charm to a dressing room, bedroom, or studio. Place it beside a mirrored armoire or in an entry as a sculptural focal point. Its neutral cloth and dark base pair easily with French country, industrial, or eclectic interiors, adding height, texture, and a quietly storied presence.