Figures & Portraits · 17th century
€ 219
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good, especially considering age. Vivid colors. One damp stain or light browing outside the plate mark, not touching the image. Overal minor soiling due to handling. Study the images carefully.
This is a hand-colored atnique print, this time depicting the "Habit of the Lady Mayoress of London, in 1640." It's a historical costume illustration showing the fashion of a high-ranking lady in London during the early 17th century.
The lady is dressed in a gown with a wide, flowing skirt, which appears to be made of a luxurious fabric, possibly silk, given the sheen illustrated. She wears a bodice with a contrasting color, and the sleeves have a slashed design that was popular during that time, allowing the fabric underneath to show through. Over her shoulders is a ruff, a starched, pleated collar that was a fashion statement in the 16th and early 17th centuries. The costume is completed with a broad-brimmed hat adorned with what appears to be feathers or a ribbon.
This type of illustration would have been of particular interest to historians, costume designers, and enthusiasts of period fashion, as it provides a detailed look at the garments and accessories worn by women of status during that era. The care taken in hand-coloring the print would have helped to bring the illustration to life, offering a vibrant glimpse into the past.
The place of issue is London, and the publisher is T. Jefferys, known for their work in the mid-18th century. This suggests that the image is most likely an engraving that was made to illustrate the fashions of the upper classes of the past century to a contemporary audience. The text on the image is a mix of English and French, which indicates that the target audience might have been bilingual or that the publishers catered to both English and French-speaking clientele. The hand-coloring is original and likely made in the year it was published.
