Mantua
1733-1734 (woven), 1735-1740 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The draped skirts of this magnificent 1730s mantua cleverly conceal its complex construction. One of the mantua’s characteristics was a long train, which was sewn as a flat piece of silk and arranged with each wearing. The train was folded up, then folded in and draped over a loop of thread on either side of the waist. In order that the finished side of the silk always show when the mantua was worn, the train was constructed with panels of the right and wrong sides of the fabric sewn together. Pinning up and draping a train successfully was an art and required the help of maids to achieve the perfect effect.
The mantua was worn over a matching petticoat and the resulting ensemble constituted formal daywear in the 1730s. Also typical for this period is the silk, intricately brocaded in a flowing pattern of large, realistically rendered flowers and leaves.
The mantua was worn over a matching petticoat and the resulting ensemble constituted formal daywear in the 1730s. Also typical for this period is the silk, intricately brocaded in a flowing pattern of large, realistically rendered flowers and leaves.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Brocaded silk, hand-sewn with spun silk and spun threads, lined with linen, brown paper lining for cuffs, brass, canvas and pleated silk |
| Brief description | Mantua and petticoat of white brocaded silk, F, 1735-1740, British; probably Spitalfields 1733-1734 |
| Physical description | Mantua and petticoat of white ground brocaded silk with a 24 inch repeating pattern of trees on an island, and embellished with large pink and darker pink fantastic flowers with a Chinoiserie flush pattern of a group of buildings behind the trees. Hand sewn with 2 ply 'S' spun silk and 2 ply 'S' spun threads. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Credit line | Given by Gladys Windsor Fry |
| Object history | Alterations: Moderate alterations and additions were made for fancy dress in the late 19th century, which have been removed or reversed. Historical significance: The pattern of the silk is representative of a new three-dimensional approach that developed in the early 1730s. The very short sleeves of the mantua correspond to the period circa 1736-1739; similar examples appear in portraiture. RF number is 1985/1851. |
| Historical context | This is an example of formal day wear for a woman in the 18th century. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The draped skirts of this magnificent 1730s mantua cleverly conceal its complex construction. One of the mantua’s characteristics was a long train, which was sewn as a flat piece of silk and arranged with each wearing. The train was folded up, then folded in and draped over a loop of thread on either side of the waist. In order that the finished side of the silk always show when the mantua was worn, the train was constructed with panels of the right and wrong sides of the fabric sewn together. Pinning up and draping a train successfully was an art and required the help of maids to achieve the perfect effect. The mantua was worn over a matching petticoat and the resulting ensemble constituted formal daywear in the 1730s. Also typical for this period is the silk, intricately brocaded in a flowing pattern of large, realistically rendered flowers and leaves. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.324&A-1985 |
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| Record created | December 11, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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