1930s Silk Kimono

Kimonos are traditional Japanese garments often crafted with silk material. The kimono is T-shaped with rectangular sleeves, and is wrapped left over right and secured with a sash or “obi”. You can shop a collection of silk kimonos from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

To tell if a kimono is made from silk, look for silk’s signature pearlescence, sheen and luster. Run your fingers over the fabric — it should feel smooth. Hold the kimono up from a single point at the neck. The fabric and it should drape luxuriously. If the fabric has a flat sheen, feels rough, or doesn’t drape well, it’s probably not real silk. Shop a collection of authentic silk kimonos from top sellers on 1stDibs.

Yes, authentic Japanese kimonos are made of silk. Mulberry silk, which comes from the mulberry silkworm and accounts for around 90 percent of the world’s silk, is the most popular type used to make kimonos. Shop a selection of authentic silk kimonos on 1stDibs.

What brides wore in the 1930s varied. Some wore long flowing dresses made of satin or silk. Long sleeves were popular and designs often featured only minimal embellishments like appliqués and beading. Because many people faced difficult financial situations due to the Great Depression, brides also sometimes simply wore their best dresses on their wedding days. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage wedding dresses.

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.