Late 19th-Century French Fabric-Embellished Fashion Plate, La Revue de la Mode - 15¼" x 13"

This late 19th-century French mixed-media artwork began as a hand-colored fashion plate published in La Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, probably in the 1870s or 1880s. Depicting two elegantly dressed women on a garden terrace, the original engraving has been embellished with real fabrics and carefully applied trimmings that bring the fashions to life. One figure wears a voluminous gown in pale checked fabric, with broad burgundy bands accentuating the tiers of her skirt, while her companion is dressed in soft gray, with a fitted bodice, flowing overskirt and delicate ruffled edges. The textiles closely follow the original illustrated silhouettes and lend the garments remarkable volume and a playful sense of realism. The result is a charming combination of fashion illustration, textile work and decorative art.

Presented in a deep, glass-fronted display case, its classic giltwood frame and stepped moldings lend structure and definition to the composition. The piece shows the gentle fading and light age-related wear expected of antique paper and fabrics.  The delicate engraving and applied textiles give the image plenty of old-world charm, while the soft colors and layered trims offer an engaging glimpse into 19th-century fashion and dressmaking.

Particularly appealing to collectors of fashion history and antique textiles, it would make a lovely addition to a dressing room, bedroom or gallery wall, displayed on its own or alongside other period fashion plates.

Note: Additional examples from the same collection are available for purchase here, offering the opportunity to create a charming ensemble.