The more I dig into fashion history, the more interested I get in what was actually worn here, in Sweden, where I live. It’s not altogether easy to find information about that. So I have been very happy in diffing into a Danish website: Dragter på epitafier og gravsten i Danmark (Costumes on epitaphs and tombs in Denmark). There are even a few from germany and more than a few from Swedish churches, dated from the 16th century to the 18th. So far I have only dug into the paintings and they are a wonderful source to what well to do, but not necessarily aristocratic, women wore in Denmark and Sweden. Here are a few from the late 17th-early 18th century, showing some really nice mantuas, caps and hairstyles.
Click on the links for more pictures. Two great fontange caps. ![]() |
Anonymous lady by Lucas Ambders, 1685 |
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Anonymous lady by Necolaus Tych, 1695 |
I love, love, love these mantuas. The different patterns on mantua, petticoat and stomacher on the mother, the play with the stripes on the daughter's gowns.
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Peder Jensen Lucoppidan and Anna Christine Jørgensdatter with their children. Svendborg Sct Nicolai kirke, Denmark. Painted in 1696 |

More somber mantuas, but the caps are spectacular!
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This mantua in black is even more sober.
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Frands König and Anne Lauritzdatter. Kirke Helsige kirke, Denmark. Painted in 1694. |
Also very pretty with the borders.
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Mathias Rubenius and his wives; Anna and Gertrud Katrina Liljengranat. Färlövs kyrka, Sweden. Painted 1700-09 |
And this mantua is stunning and the cap is too! I want it!
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Anne Christensdatter Søe 1644-1736. Thisted kirke, Denmark. Painted 1684. |
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Catharina, married to Johannes Georg Alsing. Västra Tommarps kyrka, Sweden
I'm not sure if the following gowns are closed front Mantuas or some other kind of gown. And more spectacular caps!
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Mads Christensen and Martha Bertelsdatter with their children. Bjerned kirke, Denmark Painted 1691. |
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Laurits Jensen Beder and Anna Cathrine Pedersdatter Dorscheus with their children. Beder kirke, Denmark. painted around 1690. |
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Maren Stefansdatter and her daughters. Varde Sct Jacobi Kirke, Denmark. Painted in 1677 |
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Christen Lauridsen Rhuus and Johanne Samuelsdatter Gesmel. Saeby kirke, Denmark. Painted around 1700 by Christen Lauridsen Rhuus . |
The red fabric is so gorgeous! And a nice view on the stays too.
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Christiane Marie Foss 1684-1750, married to Carsten Worm 1707, Århus stift
And here it looks like the stays are laced over a different coloured stomacher.
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Knud Hauch and Sophie Brun. Ribe Sct Catharina kirke, Denmark. Painted by Knud Hauch 1703
And a few hairstyles. Big hair was a thing around 1700 too.
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Edel Sophie Bille 1684-1706. Ubby kirke, Roskilde stift. Painted in 1714 |
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Margrethe Ingeborg Hemmer, 1643-1723, married to Mathias Worm. Painting from 1700-09, Århus Stift |
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Unknown girl, 12 years old. painted 1690-09. Denmark |
2 comments:
What a wonderful source for images - thanks for sharing!
wonderful post! beautiful collection of images from the past. My husband was sitting next to me when I was reading your post and began talking like he was the people in the portraits heheheheheh we had fun and he found some of the ladies really atractive, thanks!
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