See some very good early photographic reference material at The Mirror of Race online exhibition.

1850's Schoolhouse Quilt

This beautiful quilt looks so contemporary, it is hard to believe it is more than 160 years old.
More information here.

Silk Boots C.1860

 

Shown to me as samples today in a Hungarian costume house, I'm guessing these original silk boots date from around 1860. Supposed to be looking for things we can actually use in our film, I was easily distracted and stopped to take photographs for personal reference.