Vintage Mid Century Sheer Black Half Apron — Hand Painted Martini Cigarette with Gold Trim

Pure cocktail-hour kitsch. This mid-century handmade half apron is fashioned from sheer black fabric with sweeping satin waist ties and metallic gold rickrack trim. The standout detail is the hand-painted illustration of a bubbling martini with a cherry, flower, and smoking cigarette resting in an ashtray — an especially fun little relic of mid-century entertaining culture.

Condition
Good vintage condition with age-related wear consistent with a handmade textile of this era. The painted illustration remains colorful and distinct with some minor signs of wear. The gold trim is intact overall. No major holes noted in the sheer fabric. Please review photos closely for condition.

Measurements
Apron Body Length: 18.5"
Total Length, Tie End to Tie End: 84"

Material
Sheer black fabric, exact fiber content unknown
Black satin ribbon ties
Metallic gold rickrack trim
Hand-painted decoration

Origin
Handmade
Mid Century, likely 1950s–1960s

Styling Notes
Made for cocktails rather than cooking, this is the quintessential mid-century hostess apron. The martini-and-cigarette artwork gives it a wonderfully cheeky atomic-era lounge feel, making it equally appealing as wearable vintage or displayed with a collection of barware and cocktail ephemera.

Additional Notes
Features an original hand-painted martini glass with cherry, flower, and smoking cigarette in an ashtray.
Illustration appears signed “Claire”
Extra-long black satin waist ties.
Double rows of metallic gold rickrack accent the curved hem.
Sheer construction.

A unique find and purr-fectly peculiar.