3 vertical spring coils
3 vertical spring coils covered w/cotton, 8” long, fastens at waist w/twill tape and 2 prong buckle, adjustable to maximum of 28,” covered with white cotton and lace edging. It has a belt made of a strip of white cotton and a metal clasp. DATE: Circa 1885. (Metal has oxidized and there are rust stains wherever the coil is touching the fabric.)
4 Coil Haut ton
4 Coils covered dark ecru cotton with a small pad at the back of the waist; secured by a belt around the waist which fastened in the front with a 2 pronged buckle, adjustable to 26.” Called a “haut ton” which means “of the aristocracy.” DATE: Circa 1885. (Cotton casing is very discolored, perhaps from residual oil on the metal.)
Black moire taffeta bum pad
Small 7” x 8” black moire taffeta bum pad trimmed in black silk lace tied in back w/black quill tape hand made, probably stuffed w/horsehair. The bum pad creates a smooth slope at the back of the skirt. DATE: Circa 1877.
Black wire mesh bustle
Black wire mesh bustle made of molded window screens, the underneath is cotton canvas, it is piped in black sateen. Black twill ties at the waist, one tie is missing, the buckle is in 2 pieces and adjustable at center back so that it can be placed directly over the hip area to created the proper silhouette for the skirt. DATE: Circa 1901.
Covered wire bustle
Covered wire bustle superstructure is in a series of 4 tiers held together with metal eyelets. The ends of the 2 sides are attached w/a piece of brown leather and 8 metal eyelets. bustle fastens around the waist w/a belt of a heavy woven ecru cotton tape and has prong-style buckle. At some time an 8” ecru piece of cotton fabric was attached to the end of the belt. The waist is adjustable 24” to 36.” The form is ridged and not collapsible. DATE: Circa 1875.
Fabric stuffed bum pad
Fabric stuffed bum pad with 3 metal rings across the back, brown cloth band made of calico along the top extends long enough to tie into a belt. Pad appears handmade, there is some machine stitching. By the mid 1870s fashion had begun to change from the “shelf” across the back to a smooth slope.. The new style was influenced by Martha Washington at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. To achieve this new look women no longer needed a “full bustle” and just wore a small pad. DATE: Circa 1877.
Molded wire form
Molded wire form in a crescent shape w/a twill tape waistband and 2 prong buckle. waist adjustable to 27-1/2” DATE: Circa 1882.
Princess Metal bustle
Metal bustle consist of 9 thin metal bands riveted in cross-hatch type design, Three of the bands cross at the center, bustle is slightly convex. Twill tape belt w/2 prong buckle two-thirds of the way down, another belt was at the waist, a small remnant of the twill tape is visible on both ends, depending on how tightly the belts were pulled the convex shape would have been more pronounced. There would have to have been something attached to the bustle to hold it in place. Tape stamped “Princess,” other writing too faded to discern. 9” wide at center. DATE: Late 1890s to early 1900s.
Scott Hip-Pad
Scott Hip-Pad. White, crescent quilted and corded, stuffed w/horse hair w/4 eyelet rivets, ties at the waist w/white twill tape adjustable to 36”. Bustle stamped w/the Scott logo and says, “Size 00, Copyright 1903 by Charles H. Scott. U.S.A.” Additional printing difficult to decipher. DATE: Early 1900s.
Small bustle
Small bustle made of two coiled wires encased in cotton underneath and crocheted on top and fastened at waist with a 2 prong buckle twill tape and adjustable to 26.” DATE: Circa 1885.
The Scott Three Piece Hip-Pad
The Scott Three Piece Hip-Pad. Never worn, has original tag with description, “It is form-fitting invisible when worn, light in weight, ventilated and reversible. It is especially adapted for very slight figures having no side or back hips. It gives a symmetrical figure and cause the skirt to hang and drape gracefully, and should be worn under the corset. Size No.8. 1903.” DATED: 1903.
Three tiered wire bustle
Three tiered wire bustle, tiers held together with strips of cotton quill tape. Fabric belt has a metal clasp. There are 2 straps across the front, one is waistband adjustable to max of 30” with a 2 prong buckle, the a second strap is 12” long and is affixed to the front or inside part of the buckle where it rests against the small of the back. This strap is adjustable. DATED: 1885.
W & W Braided Wire Bustle
W & W Braided Wire Bustle, The Weston & Wells Mfg. Co., Philadelphia. Has original Tag. Cotton covering with front of coil exposed w/net “Remove Wire for Laundering,” new, never worn. Crescent shaped cotton and net pocket which accommodates a crescent shaped wire support. Wire removable for laundering, ties at front w/cotton quill tape, maximum size 36.” After 1875 and for a ten year period, the look created with this bustle would have been out of fashion in favor of a smoother look at the back. The “shelf” look became fashionable again around 1885. DATE: 1875 or 1885.
