Vintage Long, Hooded Black Wool Cape with creamy-white Soutache trim work

This is a vintage black wool, full length, hooded, traveling cape or cloak with rows of fabulous creamy-white Soutache trim work all the way around the edges, as well as some wonderful scroll designs as seen in the pictures. It does not have sleeves, but does have slits for your hands to go thru. It rests on the shoulders and closes with one black frog closure. In addition, it has 11 tiny ball-loop closures. The hood has a tassel hanging from the tip. From the shoulder edge to the bottom of the cloak it measures 46". The manikin its on measures 40" at the bust/chest area.

Note: Soutache trim (pronounced "soo-tash") is of Hungarian origin, meaning "a narrow flat decorative braid". I do not know what material the braid on this cape is made of.  I believe it may be silk, but Soutache trim can be wool, silk, rayon, etc.

I have tried extensively to research this cape, but have been unsuccessful in finding anything just like it. My best guess (and truly its a guess...), is that is is either mid to late 1800's, or early 1900's. If you happen to have seen something like this, or know exactly what it is or was used for, and can share what you know, I would enjoy hearing what era you think it comes from and what you think it is worth.

And because this is a vintage item, there are a few condition issues. There is some staining on parts of the creamy-white soutache trim work that professional dry cleaning did not remove. The dry cleaner said those stains are just too old to get out. One of the pictures shows what I think are the worst of the trim stains, which are along the bottom hemline in various places, but because of its age, I think some age-staining is expected.

The black wool is in great shape except for one very small hole under where the hood tassel hangs in the back (its about the size of a pencil eraser). I took a closeup picture of that hole, its just to the right of the tassel in the close-up picture. You have to look pretty hard to see it, its midway down close to the tassel. And you can see the tassel is also a bit frayed.

So if anyone can shed any light on what era this cape is from and what you think it is worth, I'd love to know.