SUSPENDERS...EXPERTS????

avamac

avamac

Alumni


ALL finest silk satin, machine sewn, chenille embroidered black ribbon (?) backed in puce. About 3 inches wide. The hidden chrome/nickel plated spring-thingies are marked on front as shown: 'Armstrong Braces', and patent-dated on back: PAT.MARCH 13.1877 and FEB 18 1879. LIKE NEW, other than some stress? to back springs.

I've never seen anything remotely like them. My partner thought 'folk costume'...but I'm thinking wedding suspenders, Christmas gift, or just the last of the dandies.

TIA for any expertise....

 
Lovely! I was going to say late 1870s or 1880s, so that works with the patent date.

Men in that era wore some rather fancy accessories - embroidered smoking caps, fancy suspenders or barces,needlework slipers, and even brocade sock garters. The black background is also typical. Although formal suspenders would be white silk.

Often the embroidery was done by the wife as a show of affection and/or a chance to show off superior needlework abilities.

But I am sure they could also be purchased at men's furnishing stores.

Hollis
 
Hollis, the reason I thought 'ribbon' rather than expert home embroidery is that the embroidery is cut and seamed in several places, as in the last picture. They are really lovely and the condition is just extraordinary. Thanks so much for the info and appreciation.
 
Sorry....this is an explanation of the previous post.....THOUGHT it was included....

Hollis, They are definitely hand-embroidered on silk, with chenille thread. But the pre-embroidered and puce-backed black ribbon seems to be mitered and stitched thusly at mid-back.

Hope this makes sense....

Maryalice

off to cope with business trauma, will respond later, thanks...
 
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