Material:  Silk, possibly silk blend

Size: Overall Length, Top to Heel ~apx. 26 inches,   Heel to Toe ~ apx 8 & 1/2 inches
         Leg Opening Measured Flat, Un-stretched ~ apx. 11 inches
         Welting ~ apx. 1 & 1/4 inch

Quantity:  1 = 1 pair stockings

A very fine pair of light, silky antique Victorian stockings, dating to apx. c. 1890's, possibly earlier, as this type of stocking was made from the mid 1800’s.

These stockings are shaped to fit the leg, also known as full-fashioned.
They are a rich burgundy or wine red color, adorned with excellent hand embroidered decoration in colors of wine, blue, yellow and white.  The embroidery is quite interesting and somewhat unusual from what is commonly seen.   Rather than just the instep and leg front showing embroidered detail, the embroidery starts at the toe and encircles the entire leg, from lower ankle to mid calf.
The heel and toe are finished with white stitching, as is the top welting.  A very fine seam runs from the heel up the back of the leg to top welting, culminating in a key hole commonly found on stockings that utilize corset garters.

One stocking has a tiny red m woven in the welting, and both have a larger M woven just below the welting.  (see 2nd image, top of photo-looks like a W, but I believe it is meant to be viewed correctly by wearer as M) According to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney Australian, who have a large, historic stocking collection, this was one of the makers marks frequently used by I & R Morley of England.

The stockings have never been worn and appear to be new old stock.  They are in exceptionally nice antique estate condition.  They are fully fashioned, shaped stockings, rather than the more commonly found and less expensive straight, unfitted style.   The colors remain quite vibrant and bright, with no fading.  We see no wear to fabric, which retains good, seemingly original elasticity.  (note; this fabric, while having some stretch, has much less than modern spandex type hosiery)  We see no runs, rips, tears, etc.  After very close, meticulous examination we found one tiny, tiny snag and one spot right at the seam near top welting, where it appears a thread may have been looped across seam to affixed a tag, etc.   (both aforementioned on same stocking)  This tread/tag is no longer present, which has left a pin hole.   While extremely minor, it is our policy is to disclose anything noted.  The embroidery appears to be perfect, completely intact.

We believe these stockings are made of silk, or possibly a silk blend, however sans tags we have no way to definitively establish this.  They are light, silky and definitely not cotton, so the only other possibility would be Art Silk, an early silk substitute made from natural fibers, which later, during the 1930's, became known as rayon.  While it is possible stockings were fashioned from Art Silk in the later 19th century, I believe it more likely that this pair is silk, or a blend.

An exceptionally nice condition, high quality pair of antique stockings, from an affluent East Coast estate with lots of fine Victorian and Edwardian clothing, textiles, linens and other antiques.

Fine Unworn Antique Victorian Fancy Embroidered Burgundy Silk Stockings - New Old Stock

$ 199.00

SOLD