Vintage dress form

acceber

acceber

VFG Member
A friend of my family has a house for sale, a gorgeous old farm house that has been pretty much gutted right down to the beams. It was fascinating walking through it, especially when we got to the attic and found this old dress form. We asked him what he had planned for the dress form and he said I could just take it. I about went through the roof. lol It'a obviously not in mint condition but I love it. I haven't been able to find a similar one on google. The closest I could find was the attached graphic. I wonder if it had a bustle attachment at one time, though I see no sign it had one.

IMG_8797.JPG
IMG_8798.JPG
IMG_8801.JPG
IMG_8803.JPG
IMG_8804.JPG
 
That torso shape ( dropped shoulder, small round waist with no need for hips as the hoop/crinoline/ loads of petticoat will fill that out) and the full round skirt look early to me, pre-bustle. So maybe 1850s - 60s? Although a bustle attachment for the 1870s would also make sense.
 
Thank you! I was finally able to make out some of the writing on it. It does say "Acme" on the base, with some other writing I can't make out aside for a W. The top says "Patd NOV 29 87 AUG 8 88, so it's probably from somewhere between 1887 and 1888. Fascinating. Here it is wearing that 1930s overdress, one of the first dresses I ever posted here.

IMG_8892.JPG
IMG_8893.JPG
 
Thank you! I'm trying to think of a nice name for her. lol

No, I don't think she expands. The knob at the top does turn but nothing happens when you turn it. I might try carefully oiling some of the hinges and see if that does it.
 
I aimed my phone camera up inside and it appears as though there are 4 handles inside it, in addition to the same expanding sort of arrangement in the skirt part.

IMG_8998.JPG
IMG_8999.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top