A rare Ernest Raudnitz chiné 18th century inspired taffeta ball gown, circa 1893, stamped in gold to the waist-stay ’Ernest Raudnitz, 23 Rue Louis le Grand, Paris’, the separate bodice with wide square neckline, ruffled, pleated sleeves, pink chiffon edging and frills, and plastron, adorned with absinthe-green silk ribbons and a silk rosebud, the interior with baleen boning, ivory taffeta lining; the matching skirt with pink chiffon insertion to centre front edged with ruffles of taffeta and posy of silk flowers and ribbons, bust 92cm, 36in, waist 66cm, 26in (2)