Persian Lamb

[Brandee Lawther]

Hello, newbie here. I recently purchased this coat, believed to be Persian Lamb. However, after doing some research I'm really more confused than anything about it. First this is a very heavy coat (6 lbs.), extremely warm and in excellent condition. It appears to have been custom made for the original owner as their are initials sewn into the lining. I have been all over this coat and can find no flaws at all. Appears that it was rarely worn. I just don' know anything about any type of fur, let alone Persian Lamb so I was hoping that all the experts here could clue me in. Also, I'll come back with more questions on vintage jewelry. I inherited a few pieces, funny thing was I could have taken the whole lot of furs from my G Grand but I wasn' interested at the time. Regretting it now.

 

[bycin]

It was/is common for people to get their initials embroidered into the lining of a fur coat when you purchased it. I am not sure it was, though, a coat custom made for the new owner, just one they purchased THEN had their initials embroidered into it.

Sure looks Persian lamb but the collar looks like a mink.

I'm not sure the date of the coat because I really can't see how it's cut exactly. Maybe late 1950s? It really is hard to see from the flat photos, I'm so sorry.

What were some of your questions about this coat?

 

[Brandee Lawther]

Hi Bycin, thank you for your reply. There is no tag in the coat at all, just the initials in the lining. I think like you that the collar is mink as well. I will post pictures later with the coat hanging. My question about this coat is exactly what exactly this particular lamb is? I get very confused between the many types I have researched (admittedly, not researched enough or I should be able to ascertain exactly what). Is the coloring natural or dyed? It has a more decisevly silver tone than black. It's not quite straight, it's not quite curly although it's more curly than straight, it is super, super soft and it definitely has the smell of as my aunt would say, old people's house haha! Will sending it to be cleaned take care of that? It"s really not that bad, I did hang it outside for a few hours today to air it out. Seemed to really help, but I'm in Houston, Texas and 40 degree days are not the norm here.

 

[bycin]

Persian lamb is a very young or even fetal lamb. I believe it's natural not dyed. Persian lamb is also certain breeds of sheep.

About cleaning it... furs cost a lot to clean so I would first hang it out in the nice fresh air for a few days. I have hung things out on my side porch for weeks, out of the sun of course or in the night air which is also really good. If you need, stuff it in a bag with [kitty litter, baking soda or ground coffee] in the bottom of the bag for a few days too. The smell is not dirt but age and those steps can kill it. Just be patient.

Caryn might pop up with more information. She is THE fur maven here!

 

[furwise]

Hi there,

Lovely coat! The collar is mink as thought and the body is lamb as thought. I can understand why you were a bit confused. The type of lamb is Persian-broadtail lamb. I can see the moiré like appearance, the waviness, and the curls.

As lamb ages the fur changes from the moiré like, wavy pattern to a tight, close curl.

Broadtail Lamb is stillborn or unborn Lamb which has a moiré like appearance and wavy pattern

Persian-Broadtail lamb is a few days old or less, still has some of that moiré like appearance and waviness, but some of the curls have developed.

Persian Lamb is less than 10 days old and the waviness has all turned into curls.

The color of the mink is natural, the color of the lamb is natural, and lamb coats are indeed heavy.

Owners' monograms were generally added to fur coats because they were considered to be valuable. It's sometimes a free service offered upon purchase.

Did you need help with dating also? If so it would be easier to distinguish with the coat on a person, on a mannequin, or maybe even hanging up to show the shape better.