Description

Antique French silk parasol, chinè silk with pink roses, carved and folding handle, Victorian era silk parasol umbrella for young girl.

MEASURES:
This antique parasol is 27 1/2″ (69.8 cm) long and 18″ (45.5 cm) wide when completely open.

DESCRIPTION:
Very lovely antique French parasol dating to late 1800’s, Victorian era. This wonderful antique parasol has small size, it is made from a wide chinè silk ribbon with a central band featuring wonderful design of roses in tons of raspberry pink, pink, light beige, grey, pale mauve and green, with large brown moire bands and a lovely band with a tiny design in the top area. The border is in light beige moire silk, enriched with thickly curled ribbon and edged with silk trimming and fringes.
The interior lining is made in light beige silk with scalloped and pinked edges, there is a raised design of flowers above the edge.
Folding handle made from carved bone shows a lovely design of climbing flowers, the tip finial is covered in weaved silk and embellished with silk fringes.

There exists documentary evidence that parasols were used as part of secular wear in Italy during the 17th century. By the late 18th century, the accessory was becoming increasingly modish and frequently figured in the fashion plates that had begun to make their appearance in France. Subsequently, the parasol vogue spread through the Western world. Parasols were available in America by the early 19th century – possibly earlier. – and we know that Americans followed European fashions closely through imported fashion journals and magazines.
During the 19th century, parasols were an important element in achieving the fashionable “look” of the time. For a woman of the upper classes, a pale complexion that required little or no make-up was important, for it reinforced the 19th-century ideal of inactivity and dependence upon a husband; it also distinguished her from the sunburnt masses who laboured out-of-doors. Parasols were flattering items that lent themselves perfectly to the caprices of fashion. Parasol styles were forever changing, often influenced by fashionable dress silhouettes, materials, embellishments and colours, or by other fashion accessories, such as the purse. Their undoubted charm explains why they feature so frequently in paintings of the period.
During the late 18th century and throughout the 19th, an amazing number of patents were registered in England and France for both parasols and umbrellas. The development in England of a stronger rib was the object of several such patents. Early parasol ribs were made of cane or whalebone, with brass not appearing until the 1830’s. Steel came into use in 1840 with the invention by Henry Holland of tubular ribs of tempered steel. This innovation was eclipsed by the work of Samuel Fox, who introduced a solid steel rib in 1847, followed in 1852 by U-shaped ribs in sections, which he sold under the trade name of “Paragon” and advertised as the strongest of the time. Further refinement of the parasol rib continued during the following decades.
The introduction of the sewing machine in the 1860’s – an event of vital importance – led to industrialisation and the mass production of many fashion items, including parasols. As a consequence, the price of parasols fell and this stylish accessory became increasingly available

CONDITION:
Condition is good for its age, as you can see from photos the silk textile has some tears and light traces of wear, interior silk has tears mainly at the top area, it is unfixed in some ponts.
The structure of this parasol is sturdy, it opens and closes well.

The product has imperfections or a patina due to its age, as can be seen in the photos. Please take a close look at the pictures before making your purchase!

If you need more photos or have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!

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