What is this and when is it from?

[Villa]

O.K., one more here for now. What is this awesome crazy thing? It is a black velvet top with tail thingies in the front and back, and some type of sheer, backed panels on the fronts and sleeves. It feels quite old, and isn't in the greatest condition. Could it be something similar to the other black top I asked about recently? Jonathon said that one was probably from the 20's, could this one be? I actually think it is older fron the feel of the fabric, but know nothing about the shape. Maybe it is some type of costume piece?
Well, as you can see, I really have no clue. Can you lovely, intelligent people help? Age, what it is, what the decorative panels and accents are called.. really, anything I guess.
Thanks!!

 

[Jonathan]

Stylistically, this late teens or early 20s but it might have been remade from a Victorian skirt - the pre 1890s skirts were straight, using panels of fabric, so they were often recut later. It looks like the lining is gone in this - there was probably a matching dress underneath and this was a semi-coat to wearing it outside.