Before the advent of street cleaners and efficient public sanitation, women had to come up with creative methods for traversing the city while also keeping their many layers of skirting unsoiled. 

While holding up ones skirt -- which often comprised of more than 10 pounds of fabric -- with both hands proved effective, it also limited a lady's ability to participate in a more active lifestyle. Not to mention it created the added burden of dirty gloves. 

Thankfully, in 1846, a new invention helped tackle this conundrum: a skirt lifter!  

A now almost forgotten accessory, skirt lifters were a game changer for 19th century women. Similar in design to a pair of tongs, this handy device consists of two padded clamps that could grip multiple layers of heavy fabric. 

The lifter would then be attached to a lady's belt via a chain, cord or chatelaine, which could be raised or lowered when needed. 

Fashioned in silver plated brass, this wonderful piece features a diamond motif with geometric flourishes.