Blue velvet coat with ermine era?

cozmicstar

cozmicstar

Registered Guest
Hi I was hoping to get your opinion as to the era of this coat. Blue cotton velvet with what I believe is ermine fur (but please correct me if otherwise!). Inside looks like a polished cotton lining and finished with a floral trim. No seams I can get at to show you. I've photographed it on as well in case that helps. Would it be authentic or perhaps a theatre piece? I don't know why I say that, I'm just really not sure about it. Bought it from a vintage place that buys by sacks so they never know any history. I do love it - don't care that it's impractical in the snow we have in the UK currently! Thanks for your help.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8571.JPG
    IMG_8571.JPG
    56 KB · Views: 187
  • IMG_8572.JPG
    IMG_8572.JPG
    60.6 KB · Views: 181
  • IMG_8573.JPG
    IMG_8573.JPG
    64.6 KB · Views: 202
  • IMG_8575.JPG
    IMG_8575.JPG
    53.5 KB · Views: 178
  • IMG_8564.JPG
    IMG_8564.JPG
    88.4 KB · Views: 209
Darn it and I thought I was finally getting some furs right! :p

I'll go get a full inside pic for you now.
 
Right here we go, had to take them in sections to cover it all. As ever thanks very much for your help.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8582.JPG
    IMG_8582.JPG
    64.1 KB · Views: 180
  • IMG_8583.JPG
    IMG_8583.JPG
    57 KB · Views: 139
  • IMG_8584.JPG
    IMG_8584.JPG
    60.4 KB · Views: 176
What I wonder is if it might be a theatrical or film piece. From far away, it has all the appearances of a genuine 1920s or 30s ermine trimmed velvet evening or opera coat. However, upon close up it reveals it is inexpensive rabbit fur made to look like ermine, but only gives that impression from far away. Also the maker used cotton velvet, not the required silk or silk-rayon velvet which would be found on a 1920s 1930s coat. Additionally, the lining should be silk or rayon satin or something more luxurious than the cotton chintz/sateen they used here. While the pretty ribbon roses are definitely a 1920s touch, these are still made today and easily available for dressmakers and historical garment makers. If used in a film or play, when the lady removed or opened her coat, the peek of lining with the roses would add that fancy touch to help the illusion along.

Hard to judge by just the photos. It could be antique, either made for the film or stage use back in the 20s or 30s. Or it could be newer, made as a costume. Or it could be something made by a person back in the Depression era who had a very small budget but wanted a fancy evening coat for a special occasion.

Interesting coat.
 
I agree - I said above I wondered if it was a theatre piece because something just feels.... not quite right about it? I can't explain it but there's just that feeling! I do love it regardless though. I like your thoughts as to what it could be - I do wonder if it was someone making it the best they could but of less luxurious fabric. The seam lines from what I can see feel newer though. Again hard to explain why I feel that.
 
I agree with what Barbara's saying. I actually suspect that it is a 70s theater piece that was intended to mimic one from the 20s.
 
If the velvet is cotton , I agree with Barbara it could be a much later version. This may be one you just have to handle to tell the age.
 
cozmicstar said:
Interesting! Any reason for 70s or mainly because they had a bit of 20s revival then?
Click to expand...

Well, I want to back up a little bit.

I am not 100% sure if yours was a theater piece but I do think it was made to mimic a piece from the 20s either made for theater, film, or was homemade because of the materials used and the way it was made. I had a nearly identical coat to this previously. It was not homemade. It had a 74-95 union label and having it in my hands I could tell the materials/fabric/lining used were from the 70s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top