Pale blue silk 'mantua' gown, by unknown maker, 1710–20
By the early 18th century, the mantua was worn by women as formal day wear. The pale blue silk of this hand-sewn example is brocaded in silver in a large-scale pattern of fantastic fruits and leaves, a typical design for the 1720s. The train of the gown is folded up and the sides held back with a loop and button. This complicated draping required a reversal of the silk when sewn together, so that only the right side of the fabric would show when properly arranged.
Museum no. T.88 to C-1978
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Event - Makers' Guild
Fri 03 February 2012–Fri 08 June 2012
EVENING EVENT: Take part in events for creative professionals with the Makers' Guild, a sharing, lobbying and support group for makers of all kinds, particularly those working with new technologies.
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