Lingerie Store Window Display Cloth Banner Tapestry Flapper RARE Huge Van Raalte

RARE Van Raalte Store Window Display 3D Cloth Banner Tapestry Flapper 1920s. Display banner is very large - measures 7' x 7'. The huge 7 foot wide banner is made entirely of cloth, specifically satins and silks, and is adorned with three lovely ladies from the late 1920s Flapper era. Two of the ladies are modeling undergarments and stockings, for which the company was known. The lady in the middle is dressed to go out, and is wearing REAL leather gloves, another of the Van Raalte products line. Her silky dress has a real belt buckle and the skirt hangs around her calves in a graceful manner, allowing the fabric to move gently. She is also wearing leather "shoes", complete with a (faux) buckle. Her hat once had a cluster of feathers, the stems of which are still stitched in place, though the feathers themselves have disintegrated over the years. On the left side, The blonde lady has soft, curly hair made from embroidery floss, and is wearing a Van Raalte slip and silk stockings. Her velvet shoes are adorned with tiny embroidered flowers. On the right, another blonde lady with soft curly hair in the style of the times (also embroidery floss) is wearing a fuller slip, that flips out at the bottom. The hem is trimmed in lace, and if you gently lift the edge, you can see actual garters holding up her stockings.

The figures are 3-D - their legs are separately applied, and secured on the back with slats of wood stitched between the layers of fabrics. The dresses, slips, and so on, are stuffed lightly to mimic the shapes of the ladies. Actual Van Raalte silk stockings were used on their legs. The stockings have disintegrated quite a bit from age, as seen in the photos. The entire piece is made from expensive, elegant silks and satins on the front, and cotton on the back.

Hand stitching can be seen on the back. The embroidery appears to be hand-applied, as well. The condition isn't the best. This has been in storage for probably 80-85 years, folded and stored away.

The hanging hooks are metal and it appears they have bled onto the silks and satins. The silks have disintegrated where the fabrics were folded against each other and as mentioned, the stockings have also disintegrated over time. The main portion of the banner is in somewhat better condition than the ladies, though still shows lack of care when it was stored away.

On the left edge, the trim has torn and fallen away from the backing fabric and the silk in the lower right corner has shredded. Even in this condition, this is an amazing piece.

And one you aren't likely to find another of any time soon. Add this advertising blast from the past to your collection! You won't regret it. Tags: Antique, vintage, advertising, silk, stockings, ladies underwear, flapper, 1920s, banner, tapestry, window, display, Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman, Van Raalte, cloth, satin. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Advertising\Merchandise & Memorabilia\Store Displays".

The seller is "purplepoodlepainting" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Brand: Van Raalte
• Type of Advertising: Banner
• Color: Multi-color
• Date of Creation: 1920s
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Modified Item: No