A woman's mantua and petticoat of red silk brocaded with red, silver-gilt, silver, blue and brown in a large pattern of flowers and an ermine motif. The mantua is open at the front, with robings to the waist and elbow-length sleeves and double sleeve ruffles, lined with maroon silk taffeta. The sleeves are lined with linen; the bodice front and back lined with linen, then stitched together. The back pleats are stitched down. The train is separate, made of two widths of silk with a deep hem at the sides and bottom edge, and sewn to the back of the bodice at the waist. The robings and back neck are decorated with wide silver bobbin lace, trimmed with ermine tails (Mustela erminea).

The petticoat is made of 5 widths of silk with 2 triangular gores at each side to shape it for a fan-shaped, French hoop. The silk is pleated at the top of each side. The waist is curved at front and back with no pleats. The petticoat opens at the back, and the hem is faced with a deep border of white taffeta. A narrow edging of woven silver lace (braid) binds the hem and a deep band of white silk taffeta faces it.

The ensemble appears to have been altered for another wearer. The mantua was taken in at the side seams; the train may have been removed and reattached to accommodate these changes. Some trimming to the sleeve ruffles has been removed.

The ensemble was altered for fancy dress in the late 19th century. The robings were unpicked and moved. The waist binding of the petticoat was removed. Muslin ruffles (now removed) were sewn to the sleeves.

Modern cotton tape was added to the petticoat and mantua by Conservation for display.