Victorian Skirt Lifter Appraisal

Vintage Victorian-Style Silver-Tone Skirt Lifter

This is a vintage skirt lifter, an accessory used in the late 19th century to raise a woman's long skirt to prevent it from dragging on the ground. The item is constructed from a silver-toned metal, likely nickel silver or silver-plated brass, given the visible oxidation and darker patina in the crevices. The design features a scissor-action clamp with circular, padded gripping ends intended to hold fabric without tearing. The tension is maintained by a sliding decorative nut or ferrule with a floral or cross-hatched repousse pattern. Two chains, featuring flat, rectangular interlocking links, are attached to the finger loops. One chain terminates in a small heart-shaped decorative charm, while the other appears to have lost its terminal piece, indicating a condition issue. There is significant patina and dulling of the metal surface across the entire piece. Based on its mechanical design and aesthetic, it appears to be a 20th-century revival of a Victorian-era garment tool. The craftsmanship is of moderate quality, utilizing mass-produced chain links combined with custom cast clamping components. There are no visible maker's marks or silver purity stamps in the provided image.