TLDR- I found a thing so I'm asking what the thing is
I found an incredible bodice of some kind at a second hand shop today (I was invited to look through items donated by the local museum), and was wondering if anyone could assist me with finding some approximate date for it.
I've looked through some patterns in POF 2 to see what it matches best, as well as just basing assumptions on my fairly basic knowledge of sillohuettes from the victorian period, and it seems most likely to be from some time in the 1870s. I would be cautious to label it as such though, given the history of the town (the first European exploration of the area was in 1875) and the incredible condition that it's in (no tears or shredding whatsoever- just some sweat and possibly rust stains?). So I wanted to ask the opinions of people who know far more than me, and maybe learn something too.
I have attatched photographs of it displayed on the only mannequin I have available to me currently (it's a bit smaller than my mannequin- I assume this belonged to a child, and it's shoulders are set much further back) so it is sitting poorly in the photographs. It is made out of blue silk and lined with white silk. It is mostly machine stitched with blue and white thread, but it appears to have been taken in at the sides and front with a brown thread that has messily machine stitched on the trim, and basted the watch pocket, front bow and back flap things (with some kind of net tacked on to stiffen them). It does not seem to have had sleeves at any point.
If this isn't in the right place- let me know and I'll try to work out how to move it haha
Sorry for the big rant- just want to provide any information I have, in case anyone wiser than me wants to chip in! Thank you!