The Ornamented Being

V&A: This 18th century mantua and petticoat are examples of the very grandest style of court dress. The wide skirt sits over pannier hoops and though it forced the wearer to go sideways through doors, it had the advantage of displaying a large area of lavish decoration. This mantua is made from cream silk and has been embroidered with coloured silk and silver threads. Elaborate flower designs such as these were typical of the rococo style of the 1740’s and 1750’s in England. Not only designed to impress the beholder, they were also botanically very accurate.

(Source: vandaprints.com)