Antique 1874 French Fashion Plate, Hand Colored Engraving, Emerald Teal Polonaise, Journal des Dames Edition Belge, Framed Victorian Art

🌿 ANTIQUE 1874 FRENCH FASHION PLATE — EMERALD TEAL POLONAISE
Hand-Colored Steel Engraving | Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles, Edition Belge
Plate 1076B | Circa 1873-1874

A stunning 150-year-old fashion plate from the celebrated Parisian-
Brussels journal Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles, featuring
two elegant ladies meeting at a wrought-iron garden gate. The figure
on the right wears a striking emerald teal Polonaise gown — the
height of fashion in 1873-1874 — with cascading blonde braids beneath
a delicate veiled hat trimmed with pink roses. Her companion in deep
Prussian blue with fringed mantle and tasseled trim provides a perfect
chromatic counterpoint.

The vivid teal-and-navy color palette of this plate is exceptionally
striking — perfectly suited to contemporary jewel-tone interiors and
Victorian-inspired gallery walls.

🖼️ MATCHING SET AVAILABLE
This print is one of FIVE antique Le Journal des Dames fashion plates
currently in our shop, all in identical period frames. Perfect for
creating a coordinated Victorian gallery wall. Visit our shop to view
the full collection and qualify for multi-piece discounts (10% off 2,
15% off 3, 20% off 4 or more).

🎨 ARTISTS
- Designer: E. Préval (signed lower-left), a regular illustrator for
Le Journal des Dames during the 1870s. Préval's work is held in
collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Casey
Fashion Plates Collection (Los Angeles Public Library).
- Engraver: H. Bain (signed lower-right)

📜 DETAILS
- Plate Number: 1076B
- Date: Circa 1873-1874 (based on bustle silhouette and Polonaise
styling characteristic of the "First Bustle Period")
- Publisher: Ad. Goubaud et fils, Éditeurs, Paris
- Printer: Larivière, imp. r. du Sabot 3, Paris
- Edition: Belge — published from Bruxelles, Rue Blaës 33
- Technique: Steel engraving with hand-applied watercolor
- Subjects: Two ladies in walking costumes meeting at a garden gate;
one in emerald teal Polonaise overskirt with tiered ruffles, the
other in deep navy with fringed mantle. Distant city skyline
visible at right.

🔍 PLATE NUMBER DECODED
The "1076B" identifies this as the 1076th plate in the journal's
continuous numbering system, with the "B" suffix indicating the
Edition Belge — the Brussels-distributed version of this Paris-
published fashion journal.

👗 ABOUT THE POLONAISE STYLE
The Polonaise (or "robe à la polonaise") was a hallmark of 1873-1875
French fashion, inspired by 18th-century court styles and revived
during the early bustle period. Characterized by an overskirt drawn
up into puffed swags at the back, it remains a key reference for
costume historians and a beloved subject in fashion-history courses.
This plate is a textbook example of the style at its peak.

🏛️ PERIOD ADVERTISEMENTS PRESERVED
Below the title, the original Parisian shopping references are
preserved — a delightful time capsule of 1870s luxury commerce:
- À la Ville de St-Denis (fabrics and novelties)
- À la Ville de Lyon (ribbons and trimmings)
- Malle des Indes, Passage Verdeau (foulards)
- Vertus Sœurs, Chaussée d'Antin 27 (Régente belts)
- Guerlain, rue de la Paix 15 (perfumes)
- Pollack Schmidt & Cie, rue de Richelieu 30 (sewing machines)

These references make the plate a primary-source document for fashion
historians and 19th-century commercial historians.

📐 DIMENSIONS
- Frame (outer): 16" × 12" (40.6 × 30.5 cm)
- Sheet: full original journal page with all margins
- Image area: approximately 8" × 11"
- Frame depth: approximately 0.75"
- Total weight: 1 lb 14.9 oz

✨ CONDITION
Very good for its 150 years of age. Hand-applied watercolor remains
remarkably vibrant — the emerald teal and Prussian blue retain
exceptional saturation. Minor age toning to paper margins consistent
with period (this is normal and confirms authenticity). Dark wood
frame in matching period-appropriate style. Original mat backing
shows light age spots on reverse (see photo). Glass intact. Brass
triangle hanger on top. Ready to hang.

📦 SHIPPING
Carefully packaged with corner protectors, glass-safe wrapping, and
double-boxed for safe transit. Ships from Washington State, USA.
Tracking and insurance included.

💎 ABOUT LE JOURNAL DES DAMES ET DES DEMOISELLES
Founded in 1841 and published until the early 20th century, this was
one of the most influential French fashion journals of the Victorian
era. The Edition Belge was distributed throughout Belgium and French-
speaking Europe from Brussels (Rue Blaës 33). Original hand-colored
plates from this journal are now sought by costume historians, museum
curators, fashion designers, and Victorian/Steampunk decorators.

———

🛍️ Browse the full Le Journal des Dames collection in our shop.
Thank you for visiting SWCurated!