Mystery item but not a bra!

[crinolinegirl]

Came across this auction today for a supposed early "bra".

Well, it's definitely NOT a bra but what the heck is it? I reckon they are old horse knee guards that have been buckled together over the years to stop them from being separated. They show something vaguely similar in the 1892 Moseman's tack catalog that I have.

Anyone else want to have a guess?

Lei

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

It's bizarre, whatever it is... it reminds me of a coconut bra - men in drag with grass skirt or sarong and this type of bra. Certainly the construction looks like a bra - albeit a weird one.

 

[Patentleathershoes]

I was just going to say the same think as Deborah LOL

"early coconut bra" for stage.

But horse tack may be right...

 

[TheVintagePeddler]

lmao...definitely NOT a bra. I don't know...a bowling ball bag..hehe

 

[noir_boudoir]

hmmm. Very tack-like. If you imagine them fastened together they would hold a ball, with a loop handle, no?

 

[hatfeathers]

I don't know, but I'm not putting my delicates in that!

 

[amandainvermont]

There's something kind of scary about that. It definitely looks like it should have been used for an animal.

Did you happen to see the same people's
OTHER AUCTION?

Just interesting. I'd like to find something like that.