Record

Mantua & petticoat (back), probably worn by Mary Holt, wife of 7th Earl of Haddington

< 1 of 1 > Back
Postcard of Mantua & petticoat (back), probably worn by Mary Holt, wife of 7th Earl of Haddington.
000-180-000-139-C
© National Museums Scotland

Mantua & petticoat (back), probably worn by Mary Holt, wife of 7th Earl of Haddington

A mantua was originally a lady's loose gown, worn at informal gatherings. This mantua is a formal, court example dating from around 1760. It was probably worn by Mary Holt, wife of the 7th Earl of Haddington and may have been worn at the wedding of King George III to Queen Charlotte in 1761. The picture shows the back of the mantua.

The skirts at the back of the mantua have been reduced to two short 'tails'. In earlier, less formal examples, the skirts would have been long and trailing. Heavy silks with large bold patterns were shown to great advantage by the wide skirts. A hooped underskirt with sloping sides, called a 'French hoop' would have been worn underneath.

Mantuas persisted as courtwear until 1820. Early mantuas were very unstructured which meant they were easy to make. The women who made them became known as 'mantua-makers' rather than the older term 'sempstresses'.


Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID: 000-180-000-139-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  
Date: Fabric: around 1761
Material:
Dimensions:
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where:
Event:
Description:
References:
  • Tarrant, Naomi. The Development of Costume. London & New York. NMS & Routledge, 1994, pp 66-71. 
Translations:
Related Records:
< 1 of 1 > Back
 
Powered by Scran