Below is Marie Tucek's invention from 1893. Indeed it resembles the modern day bra and is reminicent of an underwire bra. However, it is designed to support the breasts from below via the metal plate "A".. It is not meant to cover the breast nor to give support from above. There is no discussion about how to give support to the pockets "B". The way it is designed, it would probably not give much support to a large breast which would likely simply hang over the edge of the metal. This brassiere was never marketed for obvious reasons.
