Antique-Gown

Court Dress, ca. 1720-1760

A rare and unique court dress from the rococo period. The fabric comes from the 17th century (ca. 1680), probably from Lyon. It shimmers silvery because silver threads have been woven into it. The fabric is very lavishly embroidered with gold and silver threads. The pattern is a tendril motif, typical of European embroidery in the late 17th century. The threads are handmade as they are irregular and uneven. The silver threads could be real silver as they have tarnished in some places. Embroidery was done on previously recorded patterns. These patterns are visible in places where the threads are no longer present. Thanks to the metal threads, the dress is very, very heavy. The woman who wore this dress at court certainly struggled with it.

The antique dress is a one piece dress. Top and skirt are connected. There is also a cape attached to the dress. The dress in this form is probably from a "manteau dress" from the late 17th century. The transverse collar, which tapers and protrudes at the back, the very deep snipe and the sleeve form indicate a dress from the 17th century. In the 18th century this rococo form was created. The fabric was too valuable not to be recycled. This procedure was very typical for that time.

The inside of the dress is lined with pink silk (cape, skirt and sleeves). In order to stabilize the inner lining of the skirt, a net was expertly pulled in. The dress has been conservatively secured. The French collector, from whom we got it, commissioned it a long time ago. For this the skirt had to be cut open and sewn back together again. The dress is laced at the back. The holes are sewn by hand. Lace is attached to the cuffs and collar.

The antique dress is in very good condition. The sight is very splendid. On the back there are two stains, on the front an organic stain (food leftovers), which has "eaten" the fabric a little. The stain can easily be hidden in a fold. A few silver and gold threads are broken and fallen off when worn. The loss of thread, however, is small.