This is NOT a dress but a Napoleon 111 "ladies night shirt", dating back to the late 19th Century and approximately 1870. I have been able to obtain 5 ladies night dresses and two pleated Napoleon 111 ladies dress shirts and I will gradually show them. These night dresses were extremely fashionable for the Bourgeoise French aristocratic families. They were beautifully made and often in the ateliers of the Chateaux where the couturières would be situated with repairs to both bed and table linen, embroidering initials on bed linen, sewing in names of the owners garments to name but a few. They would also create night dresses for the owners and their children. These nightdresses have the extra luxury of gussets at the sides of the nightdress. This particular night dress has no gusset, but is rather voluminous and thus does not need a gusset. A gusset is a panel ,either triangular or diamond in shape, that is inserted into a garment at the sides to help shape and reinforce key points. They add breath and breathe. The bodice of this night shirt is plain at front and back and measures 65cm in width from underarm to underarm.. The length is 115cm. There is an inset of lace at top and back and the sleeveless arms. In the centre are two hand embroidered initials M.P. and done in soft relief. We do not know the provenance, but all 5 nightdresses came from the same family. You will note at the front top and inside is a tunnel with 2 cords to gather the top. PLEASE NOTE; There is a tiny hole at the front and see last photo Again I get the feeling that the night dress was very little used and the owners told me that she has never worn this night dress not her mother and has been in the armoire for the past 50 years. These night shirts are now rather rare and difficult to come by. Vintage linen have already known a first life and can therefore have slight traces of the past. We select the items in the best possible way, with love and dedication. Honest descriptions and images gives a real vision of the items. The linen that we offer for sale is not new linen, unless specifically mentioned, it is second-hand and old linen. As such it may have already been washed, used or even worn. In spite of the great care we take during the preparation, small imperfections can and may escape us. They do not in any way call into question the unique and rare character of these wonderful pieces. I present you our French Antique linen unwashed, as taken out of the armoire, unless otherwise described . It is all clean, but plan to give it a wash before use. Please be aware of the above before you bid and buy. Thank you for taking this into account ERA 1400-1900 NUMBER OF ITEMS 1 MATERIAL Cotton CONDITION Very good condition, slightly used with small signs of wear COUNTRY OF ORIGIN France Shipping Shipping costs Shipping to France: € 16.50 Show more Sold by Beausoleil2016 FranceFrance Private Top Catawiki member since May 7, 2016 This object is sold by a private seller. The EU consumer rights do not apply. Follow