Fashion & Costume · 19th century
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition. Mild age-toning and light foxing around the edges, but the image area is clean with vibrant color. Wide margins and minimal handling wear.
Traditional Head Dresses of Dieppe, France – Costume Study, 1823
This hand-colored lithograph titled “Head Dresses at Dieppe” offers a refined visual study of traditional French female headdresses from the coastal town of Dieppe in Normandy. Published in London on December 1, 1823, by the well-known firm of Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, the print forms part of a broader early 19th-century fascination with regional European costume, particularly among British collectors and travel enthusiasts.
The composition is striking in its simplicity and elegance. Three distinct women’s headpieces are displayed against a clean, uncluttered background, allowing their design and symbolism to speak clearly to the viewer. The headdresses are meticulously detailed and richly hand-colored, suggesting both ceremonial and regional variation.
On the left, a profile view reveals a tall, conical headdress in lavender with a long, flowing veil pinned at the top. This type is reminiscent of medieval hennins and suggests local continuity in ceremonial dress. The woman wears a gold hoop earring and a striped shawl, emphasizing her social and regional identity.
At center, a woman in three-quarter profile wears a fan-shaped, white headpiece with radiating pleats, secured by a decorative blue band across the crown. Her deep red shawl and golden earring contribute to a look of formal dignity, suggestive of local festivals or important social occasions.
On the right, a frontal view shows a woman wearing a purple cap over a white veil that falls along the sides of her face, topped with a large gold cross pendant and matching earrings. Her expression is calm and composed, adding a humanizing element to this ethnographic study.
These kinds of costume prints were immensely popular in the early 1800s, especially in England, where they were used to educate viewers about European cultural traditions and fashion history. Baldwin, Cradock & Joy were among the leading publishers of such works, which combined anthropological interest with artistic charm.
Condition Report:
Good condition. Mild age-toning and light foxing around the edges, but the image area is clean with vibrant color. Wide margins and minimal handling wear.
Framing Tips:
A thin gold or dark wood frame with a soft ivory or parchment mat will enhance the historical tones. Keep a wide mat border to draw attention to the delicate details and symmetrical composition.
