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Rare original circa-1920s Halloween / fancy-dress costume, made in a wonderfully graphic orange and black color combination and surviving from a group of early theatrical and holiday costumes.
The dress is constructed from a lightweight cotton fabric with an unusually smooth, lustrous surface, giving it a beautiful sheen that can resemble silk or rayon at first glance. Fiber testing indicates cotton. The vivid orange and black coloration, period construction and dramatic design give the dress an unmistakably theatrical appearance characteristic of 1920s fancy dress or parade costume.
This piece came from a grouping that included other early costumes, notably an antique animal/cow costume and a jester costume incorporating the same orange-and-black color palette. Taken together with the dress’s colors, construction and period, this provenance strongly suggests that it was originally made and worn as a Halloween or masquerade/fancy-dress costume.
The survival of an early textile Halloween costume such as this is particularly appealing, as these garments were ephemeral by nature—made to be worn for festivities rather than preserved as conventional clothing. It is a striking piece both as wearable antique fashion and as an example of early American Halloween and masquerade material culture.
Pull over fit with no closures. Likely modern size medium. Shoulder to shoulder measures 15 inches, chest is 37 inches, waist is 33 inches, and hips are approximately 40 inches. Shoulder to hem is 49 inches long.
Please refer to the photographs for construction and condition details. This is an authentic antique garment approximately a century old, and the photographs form an important part of the condition description.
Very good antique condition overall. There is one approximately dime sized hole at the side of the bodice near the underarm (close up ninth photograph), and one much smaller short tear/slit elsewhere on the bodice (please see sixth photo). There are also minor signs of age and wear consistent with a 1920s garment, including scattered small spots and faint stains. Please review all photographs.
A wonderfully atmospheric and highly displayable piece that is wearable with care. Particularly striking for collectors of early Halloween, masquerade and fancy-dress costumes, 1920s fashion, or antique textiles.
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