Product Details

Measurements: Shoulder Width: 17inches Length: 22inches Late 1940s true vintage fur shawl / capelet, dating approximately 1946–1949. Soft silver-grey fur with traditional furrier panel construction and a silk lining (not acetate or rayon). Elegant post-war evening accessory originally worn for opera, cocktails, and formal occasions. Original construction with professionally stabilized seams and lining. Age-consistent wear present; no major fur loss. A rare, collectible mid-century piece — ideal for bridal, evening, or archive wear. Condition/Call-Outs: Original fur & silk lining; very little shedding from the Mink; age-related wear and tear on the silk lining with minor staining; minor repairs made using museum conservation methods. FULL HISTORICAL LISTING This is an authentic late 1940s fur shawl capelet, dating to approximately 1946–1949, a period defined by post-war luxury, refined eveningwear, and the return of formal social dressing. The silhouette — a shoulder-draped shawl rather than a full stole or coat — is characteristic of the immediate post-WWII era, when fur accessories were designed to complement evening gowns and cocktail attire. This form largely disappeared by the early 1950s as fashion shifted toward larger stoles and structured outerwear. The interior is lined in a soft silk fabric, a material choice most commonly found in fur accessories of the 1930s–late 1940s. By the early 1950s, silk linings were largely replaced by rayon; the presence and behavior of this lining strongly supports the earlier dating. Construction is traditional furrier work, with paneled pelts joined at hide seams rather than adhesive bonding or modern tape methods. The piece has undergone careful conservation stabilization: – Fur seam separations were repaired using appropriate furrier stitching – Lining stress points were reinforced from behind to preserve original materials – No glue was applied to visible fur or hair Comparable late-1940s fur shawls of this quality retailed for several hundred dollars at the time — the equivalent of several thousand dollars today. All repairs were performed to preserve originality, not to over-restore. The shawl retains its original character, drape, and texture, with only age-consistent wear visible. This piece is best suited for collectors, bridal styling, eveningwear, or those seeking authentic mid-century fur rather than modern reproductions.