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Historic Costume | Fine and Decorative Arts
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Improver, Bust
Object/Artifact
Bust improver made of a fine linen cover with stuffed pads inside, can’t be removed, however. The linen has old stitchlines - probably from an old chemise or the like. Frill across top is a fine cotton or linen ribbon (finished edge). All hand sewn except for line of machine stitching across binding along top edge. The center has two stays of baleen or splint of some kind. Thin cotton twill tape loops on either side to fit around arms. The padding seems to be horsehair. The pads are edged with twill tape. Another piece of tape is tied to one side, perhaps to better secure the contraption across the back.
G2005.185
Bruce and Susan Greene Costume Collection
1860 - 1875
User Age: Adult Gender: Female
American
bust improver
bust
woman
female
linen
cotton
frill
stay
baleen
horsehair