Berthe collar

Unknown artist

White berthe collar of etching lace. Was worn loose on the shoulders of an evening gown.The berthe collar was sewn onto the evening dress and removed after use. The berthe came into fashion at two times in the 19th century, around 1840 and around 1890. The berthe of around 1840 follows the shoulder and neckline, the one of 1890 falls off from the neckline.