Costume History Appraisal

Antiquarian Fashion Plate from 'Le Moniteur de la Mode'

This item is an antique fashion plate, likely an original hand-colored engraving or lithograph, sourced from a historical periodical, specifically 'Le Moniteur de la Mode'. The image depicts four women dressed in elaborate 19th-century attire. Their gowns feature voluminous skirts, intricate bodices, and various embellishments typical of the mid-to-late 19th century, suggesting an estimated age from the 1860s to 1880s. The women's dresses display a range of colors including muted browns, greens, blues, and possibly a light pink or cream, indicating hand-coloring post-printing. The background appears to be an interior setting, possibly a salon or ballroom, with architectural details visible such as patterned walls or wallpaper. The print is housed in a clear plastic protective sleeve, which has holes punched along one edge, implying it might have been part of a binder or collection. Visible text along the left margin reads 'LE MONITEUR DE LA MODE' and further down 'JOURNAL DE GR— (likely 'GRAVURES C. DE LA RUE') is partially visible, confirming its origin. Along the right edge on the protective sleeve, there is text 'LE MONITEUR DE L A MODE' repeated horizontally. The paper exhibits some signs of age, including potential discoloration or foxing, and the edges appear slightly irregular, suggesting it has been carefully removed from a bound volume. There is a prominent black, irregular shape obscuring a central portion of the image, which appears to be a digital artifact or intentional redaction, not damage to the physical print itself. The overall craftsmanship in the illustration style is detailed, characteristic of fashion plates intended to showcase contemporary trends and designs.