Broadtail Muff -- Jonathan, name that year! ; )

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Old-time furrier has confirmed that this is Russian Broadtail which, he tells me, has recently come back into vogue with one major difference. Where they used to (squeamish folks stop reading here) abort the lamb fetus to procure its blissfully soft, not-yet curly pelt, they now wait until birth to slaughter them. Gruesome either way, but this one has been dead a long time so I can't get too worked up about it.

- Very large, as you can see in the photo of me (5'5.5" tall) holding it.
- Fur is incredibly soft and silky, with that wonderful "moire" texture that fetal lambs apparently have.
- Lining is black silk. Inside that is a white cotton bag filled with down (no feathers).
- handle (for lack of a better word) is braided (macrame, to be specific) wool

This thing feels heavenly, and if it didn't give me major creeps, I'd love it.

When is it from? To me it looks like something straight out of a Currier & Ives skating on a pond scene.

 

[Jonathan]

Well, since you asked, I would bet it was late Edwardian, c. 1910 - 1912, when there are huge muffs to balance the huge hats.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Thanks, Jonathan. You are the best! xox

p.s. It IS huge, isn't it? Could double as a pillow, really. Feels heavenly. Absolutely no idea what such a thing is worth. Probably not terribly much, although that repulsive Russian broadtail is very hot at the moment. I'll do some comping, as they say ; ).

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

I agree with Jonathan. I usually do well, sales wise, with muffs this time of year, especially the Edwardians.

B

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Hmm... well that's a clue, Barbara, thanks. I will check to see if you have archives at your site. Perhaps it will help with pricing. - Liza