No commentary this month, just descriptions of the costumes in two plates. One of a Walking Dress, or Carriage Costume, the other featuring two Opera Dresses. The Walking Dress is described “trimmed with Astrakan fur”; the tippet and “ridicule” are made of the same. I’d heard the word “Astrakan” before, but I wasn’t quite sure what it referred to. The OED uses the spelling “astrakhan,” and includes two definitions: “The skin of still-born or very young lambs from Astrakhan in Russia, the wool of which resembles fur”; “A kind of cloth used chiefly as an editing or trimming for garments.” The latter definition, though, dates from 1887, so I’m guessing we’re talking about poor little lambs here.
- Plate 11, Vol. V, no. xxvi, page 104
- Plate 12, Vol. V, no. xxvi, page 104
Want to decorate just like a Prince? Well, this month you can, for February 1811’s fabric samples includes a chintz “designed by Mr. Allen, of Pall-Mall, for the bed-room furniture of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, at Carleton-House.” How many members of the ton do you think rushed out to visit Mr. Allen for a sample?
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