Fashion plate, from Le Petit Courrier des Dames

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This hand-coloured fashion plate is from Le Petit Courrier des Dames, a weekly fashion magazine published in Paris. The plate is one in a series entitled, 'Modes de Paris' and illustrates women's fancy dress outfits. It is dated 15 February, 1838.

The woman on the left is holding a pair of castanets in her hand. Castanets are small hollowed pieces of wood or ivory which are clicked together in time to music. They are frequently used in Spanish dances.

The 19th century fashion magazine contained many suggestions for fancy dress. The fancy dress ball was one of the occasions when women could be outwardly frivolous. Originating about the time of Waterloo, they were extremely popular.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-087-191-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.RHI 24.31
• Date: 1823 - 1861
  1838
  
• Material: Inscription: Modes de Paris
  Paper. Inscription: D
  Document / plate, fashion
  Plate, fashion
  
• Dimensions: 10.20" x 6.40" mounted
  
• What: Document / plate, fashion
  Plate, fashion
  
• Subject: Fashion plates (NMAS Classification)
  Fashion plates
  
• Who: Petit Courrier des Dames
  
• Where: France, Paris
  France, Paris
  
• Event:
• Description: One of forty-nine fashion plates entitled Modes de Paris, from the Petit Courrier des Dames, 1823 - 1861
  Fashion plate showing two women wearing fancy dress, signed 'D', from Petit Courrier des Dames, Paris, number 1423, 15 February, 1838
  
• References:
  • Holland, Vyvyan. Hand Coloured Fashion Plates 1770 to 1899. London: B.T. Batsford, 1955, p 166. 
  • Norris, H & Curtis, O. Costume & Fashion, Volume Six, The Nineteenth Century. London & Toronto: J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd, 1933, p 52. 
• Translations:
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