Mantua | Unknown | V&A Explore The Collections
Mantua Place of origin: England, Great Britain (made) Date: ca. 1720 (made) Materials and Techniques: Silver brocaded silk, lined and faced with silk Museum number: T.88 to C-1978 "By the early 18th century, the mantua was worn by women as formal day wear. The pale blue silk of this 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."
Mantua | Unknown | V&A Explore The Collections
Mantua, England, ca.1720, Silver brocaded silk, lined & faced with silk. The pale blue brocaded silk is in a large-scale pattern of fantastic fruits and leaves, a typical design for the 1720s. The train of the gown is folded up & the sides held back with a loop & 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. There are 2 very large, round, heavy lead weights in each sleeve. | V