I recently acquired these UHLT's (Unidentifiable Hoop-Like Things)... and I have no idea what they are. The two were originally identical, but time has aged them differently. The wire is very much like the wire of Civil War era hoops – watch spring; it responds to movement and returns to its previous shape. The wire is covered in some sort of material, very similar to that of Civil War era hoops. The cloth straps are very sturdy and have a slight sheen. The weave is not very tight, but something about this fabric keeps it very strong. There are five hoops strung along the cloth and fastened with a unique closure (the picture isn’t too great). At what I assume to be the top, the cloth is looped around and fastened back at the last hoop. I think this might have been where some sort of belt was threaded through.
When thinking about how these might have been worn… I am really coming up with nothing that makes sense. I doubt these are Civil War Era, but I know the knowledge on this forum will lead me down the right path. To me, they wouldn’t give the shape that one would want from a bustle, and the two are identical. My grandmother (she gave them to me) said that they were worn on the hips. If that is the case, just how old are these? Historically, the family these came from was semi wealthy in central New York.
These photos aren't loading properly, so please visit my webshots page that contains several different shots of these items. View Here.
When thinking about how these might have been worn… I am really coming up with nothing that makes sense. I doubt these are Civil War Era, but I know the knowledge on this forum will lead me down the right path. To me, they wouldn’t give the shape that one would want from a bustle, and the two are identical. My grandmother (she gave them to me) said that they were worn on the hips. If that is the case, just how old are these? Historically, the family these came from was semi wealthy in central New York.
These photos aren't loading properly, so please visit my webshots page that contains several different shots of these items. View Here.
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