I think that's one of the Cloptons of Kentwell... Bess pointed her out to me on the cover of a children's book we found in Mendocino in August 2006. I love the fabric in her skirt... If I ever found something remotely like that I'd be buying up every yard I could afford!
I don't know. The short bio info I found gave no such hint.
'Frances, who was the daughter of John Aylworth of Polstow in Devon, married Thomas Reynell (1555-1621) in about 1580 and by him had nine children, three of whom were sons...The first was born in 1581. The Reynells, a West Country family of great antiquity, were first recorded in the 12th century during the reigns of Henry II and Richard I as having custody of the castles of Exeter and Launceston. Thomas Reynell, whose brother Sir Carew was cup-bearer to Queen Elizabeth, was knighted in 1603, following the Coronation of King James I [and VI of Scotland].' (http://www.worldaa.com/article.cfm?article=34 very bottom of page).
And yeah, if I found any similar fabric, I would so get it. It is lovely. ... but not the quilters cotton that is everywhere!
Not quite the same, but the costume is very similiar - in a flipped negative effect. The Clopton Portrait is this one
Similar kind of skirt and decoration on the bodice.
I've thought that the only way to create that skirt is to copy the pattern in velvet and cut it all out and apply it to a white satin or taffeta base. I was thinking of doing this for a masquerade costume for next year's costume con - but not going to that now.
I think the artistic style of the time was as exaggerated as the clothes. Trying to imagine the body that would actually fit those proportions makes me worry for the poor woman's health.
That aside, the bodice and sleeves look to me like there's a slightly baggy sheer layer over an opaque white layer, with the sheer layer held down by the couched silver arches. It'd definitely be an interesting effect.
Yeah, I don't want to think of the original bodies, although part of me is thinking tricks of the shaping, and painter's "enhancing" the ideals of the time.
Hmmm... hadn't thought of it being a sheer over another layer. That could be interesting, too. Thanks.
I'm pretty sure the Lady Mary Clopton has a sheer overlay to the black velvet bodice as well. It certainly looked like it when I practically put my nose the full size copy of the portrait that Kentwell have.
Not that I would have recreated that though. Not on that gown.
I wonder if the bodice could be long pile velvet? Just a thought - there are some slippers c1600 (I think...) made out of long pile velvet, so it was an available fiber... just tossing ideas around - LOVE the picture :-)
I thought that. Or perhaps what is called beaverskin. But I dont think that comes in white. Edmund's big hat is made of this (no idea if it is real beaver skin!) and it has this sort of long pile effect.
Very tactile!! Just want to sit stroking it (him). ;-)
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"Dear Kimiko,
We have the Reynell portrait on display in gallery 12 at the moment. We do not allow any photography.
You are certainly welcome to visit the gallery and work from the original, using pencil & paper.
I've passed you query to our bookshop manager who will let you know if we have any cards or reproductions."
Well, maybe they have something they can mail me. But it is there if you want to take a look at it for yourself sometime.
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'Frances, who was the daughter of John Aylworth of Polstow in Devon, married Thomas Reynell (1555-1621) in about 1580 and by him had nine children, three of whom were sons...The first was born in 1581. The Reynells, a West Country family of great antiquity, were first recorded in the 12th century during the reigns of Henry II and Richard I as having custody of the castles of Exeter and Launceston. Thomas Reynell, whose brother Sir Carew was cup-bearer to Queen Elizabeth, was knighted in 1603, following the Coronation of King James I [and VI of Scotland].'
(http://www.worldaa.com/article.cfm?article=34 very bottom of page).
And yeah, if I found any similar fabric, I would so get it. It is lovely. ... but not the quilters cotton that is everywhere!
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Similar kind of skirt and decoration on the bodice.
I've thought that the only way to create that skirt is to copy the pattern in velvet and cut it all out and apply it to a white satin or taffeta base. I was thinking of doing this for a masquerade costume for next year's costume con - but not going to that now.
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That aside, the bodice and sleeves look to me like there's a slightly baggy sheer layer over an opaque white layer, with the sheer layer held down by the couched silver arches. It'd definitely be an interesting effect.
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Hmmm... hadn't thought of it being a sheer over another layer. That could be interesting, too. Thanks.
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Not that I would have recreated that though. Not on that gown.
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The biggest issue with these kinds of gowns is that the wearer can't lean back in any chair - the hoop at the back gets in the way.
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Very tactile!! Just want to sit stroking it (him). ;-)
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It's a very interesting effect, and definitely has my brain pondering the interesting possibilities of what it is.
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