EMILE PINGAT Victorian Bustle Dress, Paris, ca. 1882

This Emile Pingat two-piece bustle dress, dating to 1882, is a rare and opulent example of antique haute couture from one of Paris’s most celebrated 19th-century couturiers. Labeled E. Pingat, 30 Rue Louis-Le-Grand, Paris, the gown consists of a bodice and skirt crafted in luxurious black silk satin, trimmed with cream handmade lace and finished with black satin-covered buttons down the center front.

The bustle skirt is a masterpiece of layered construction, elaborately designed with cascading folds of black silk satin and hemmed in magenta silk satin, adding a signature accent color - a hallmark of Pingat’s refined monochromatic palette. The skirt closes at the center back with hooks and eyes, and the bodice interior features a waistband tape (partially detached), with some wear to the silk facing and loosened closures noted.

Despite minor flaws - including a missing button, marks from a brooch, fragile waistband, and discoloration to the magenta hem—the gown remains in very good condition, a testament to Pingat’s flawless workmanship and the enduring quality of 19th-century Parisian couture. Please note: decorative accessories shown in some images are not included.

Measurements:
Bust: approx. 110 cm
Waist: approx. 95 cm
Front Length: approx. 143 cm
Back Length: approx. 190 cm

A true museum-quality garment, this Pingat bustle gown is ideal for collectors of historical fashion, Victorian haute couture, or Parisian dressmaking heritage, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece by one of the founding masters of couture.