Wedding Dress from 1774
When royals prepare to be joined in holy matrimony a virtue you would rarely find is modesty. Seeing this spectacular wedding dress (picture on the right) it is not hard to imagine how exuberant but nonetheless tastefully arranged the luxury was, with which a future queen faced the altar.
| click here to enlarge |
This dress was worn by Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotta, née Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf, for her wedding with Carl, Duke of Södermanland, who later ascended the Swedish throne as Carl XIII. Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotta was known as lively and friendly. She became well known for her records in form of diaries.
But the dress is in another way important and special: it is one of the very rare items, that has not only survived to this day (and can be viewed in the Livrustkammaren in Stockholm), but to which there exists a portait of the wearer in full attire. This enabled the correct combination with accessoiries, jewellery, headdress and head decoration, and permitted conclusions concerning the use of lace, which naturally could not be preserved on the original.
| click here to enlarge |
Such an exceptional guideline without doubt deserves to be treated with respect and great care in all aspects.
As a base, we chose an entirely natural, undyed Organzin-silk woven with pure silver, so it consists of nothing but silk and silver.
However, as precious as the textile base may be, it completely backs out behind the lavish applications.
| click here to enlarge |
The silver sequin, foil and boullion embroidery, handmade naturally, covers the dress with flower bouquets, ribbons and stylised borders. It took eight men working in 14-hour shifts full two months to complete the piece of art.
A harmonious unison with the embroidery the dress is enriched with pure silver bobbin lace. It frames the skirt, bodice and court train. It has not been used reluctantly: three rows form the close of the skirt.
The bobbin lace was handmade in Vienna, taking a months worth of handcraft.
