A RARE FRENCH VINTAGE EARLY 19TH CENTURY VICTORIAN BLACK SILK VELVET EMBROIDERED TOP. THIS ITEM IS FROM A LARGE COLLECTION I BOUGHT IN PARIS, FRANCE IN THE 1980'S. THERE IS EXCEPTIONAL HAND EMBROIDERED SILK TRIMS AND PIPING WITH LAVENDER SILK COVERED BUTTONS ON THE COLLAR FRONT AND BACK CONTINUING DOWN THE FRONT PLACKETS. THE LINING IS A CLEAN CREAM COTTON WITH A FINE BLACK SILK BACKING ALONG THE INSIDE COLLAR AND WAISTBAND.THE WHITE PORTION IS A FINE FELT WOOL WITH A FEW TINY MOTH HOLES. THE PIECE IS HAND STITCHED WITH WONDERFUL WORMANSHIP. THE CONDITION IS EXCELLENT AND CLEAN IN A SIZE 38-40 WITH A 40 INCH BUST, 21 INCH LENGTH AND 18 INCHES FROM SHOULDER TO SHOULDER SEAMS WITH 3/4 INCH SLEEVES. CODE 0035