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Image / French ball costume, 1802

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Title
French ball costume, 1802
Alternative Title
Costume Parisien.
Publication Information
Ella Strong Denison Library
Contributing Institution
Claremont Colleges Library
Collection
Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century
Rights Information
For more information on copyright or permissions for this image, please contact the Ella Strong Denison Library at http://www.scrippscollege.edu/denison/
Description
A man and a woman are dressed for a Paris ball. The man is dressed in the style of Napoleon Bonaparte. His white cravat is tied high, almost to his chin. His red waistcoat is banded in gold on the fronts, hem, and pockets, and is cut longer than his jacket. His blue cutaway tail coat with a high stiff collar is double breasted. He wears black knee breeches and white stockings, with black dancing slippers. His hair is cut in a short windswept style, and his black bicorne hat has a blue and gold cockade on the front. He carries his brown gloves. His partner is dancing next to him with one arm raised and the other behind her, taking the next step in the dance. Her white gown has an Empire waist, a round neckline, and elbow length sleeves. Over this she wears a short overdress open down the front and patterned with large gold stars. Gold and red details band the front of the overdress and down the top of the sleeve. With her back to the viewer, the construction details of the back of the bodice are very clearly depicted, and a decorative leaf motif is shown at the center back of the yoke. The hem of the dress has a wide double band of gold with ovals encasing roses, or a similar red motif, set at angles. The dress and overdress are both shown as very light, fluttery fabric, undoubtedly muslin. She wears long white gloves, and flat black and gold dancing slippers. Her hairstyle has the classically inspired look of the Empire with braids wrapping the back, and a gold diadem with a tall gold hair ornament, possibly a feather. She wears a gold bracelet.
Type
image
Format
image/jp2
Identifier
fpc00611.tif
http://ccdl.claremont.edu/cdm/ref/collection/fpc/id/630
Language
French
Subject
Bracelets
Clothing and dress
Coats
Collars
Dresses
Feathers
Gloves
Gold jewelry
Hair ornaments
Hairstyles
Hats
Jackets
Men's clothing
Neckwear
Pants
Shoes
Vests
Women's clothing
Women's shoes
Buttons
19th C costume France
Ball dress
Empire style
Evening dresses (Garments)
Stockings
Tailcoats
Bicorne Hats
Breeches (Trousers)
Men's hairstyles
Dress coat
Time Period
1800-1809
French - Consulate, 1799-1804
Place
France
Source
Fashion plate, engraving (print), colored, 6.5 x 9 inches; Scripps College, Ella Strong Denison Library, Macpherson Collection, Costume Plates of Myrtle Tyrrell Kirby, box 13
Relation
Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century - https://ccdl.claremont.edu/digital/collection/fpc

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