This exquisite pair of 19th-century Victorian fashion engravings is presented in beautifully carved Black Forest–style walnut frames, each decorated with deep floral and foliate appliqués at the corners. These hand-colored prints depict elegantly dressed women in period attire, showcasing hairstyles, silhouettes, and textiles emblematic of mid-to-late 1800s European fashion illustration.
The prints were traditionally attributed to La Mode Illustrée or Le Follet, two of the most iconic fashion journals of the Victorian era known for their detailed, hand-tinted engravings. While the prints do not bear a visible plate signature due to age and framing, the style, palette, and rendering strongly match fashion plates issued between 1860–1880.
Provenance
Handwritten notes on the verso indicate the works were framed in the 1940s by Thompson Gillette of Elkins, Oklahoma. Additional inscriptions list previous owners Dorothy & Nelson Wright, adding charming mid-century provenance to the pieces.
Styling Suggestions
These framed antique fashion prints style beautifully in:
- A French country–inspired dressing room or walk-in closet
- A feminine bedroom, powder room, or reading nook
- A gallery wall pairing Victorian, Rococo Revival, or cottagecore décor
- A boutique or fashion studio, adding authentic 19th-century charm
- Layered on a mantel or console, leaning casually for a collected Old-World aesthetic
- Alternatively, the prints could be switched out for a print of your choosing.
Their carved Black Forest frames bring warmth, depth, and sculptural texture, making this pair ideal for collectors who love European antiques, folk carving, historic fashion, and traditional interiors.
Condition
Prints: light age toning consistent with pieces of this era
Frames: structurally sound with expected patina; original 1940s paper backing retained. One small piece of wood is missing from the top of one of the pieces.
Ready to hang
Dimensions:
14" Wide
15.5" Tall
1.25" Deep
9" x 11" Print inside
2.6 lbs
