Costumes of Saxe Gotha and Altenburg with a Bride and a Baptism Dress, 1842

An original antique lithograph with hand coloring, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). In the upper image a man in a wide black hat and a long white smock with a yellow neckerchief carries a staff and a blue cloak over his arm, beside a woman in a pink knitted cap, blue laced bodice, white apron, green skirt and red stockings. To the right two women stand arm in arm: one in a long black dress with a pink tasseled cap, the other in a green bodice with a red front and a pink crown shaped headdress. A building on a hill shows in the distance. In the lower image a young man in a cap, white shirt, broad suspenders and full black breeches stands at left; next to him a woman in a green dotted jacket, white apron and tall pointed white headdress holds a posy of flowers. At right a woman in a tall fur cap and a long black cloak carries before her a blue cloth in a gold frame, with a red skirt beneath. A church with a tall spire stands behind them.

The top margin is lettered Tom. IV at upper left, "GERMANIA" at center and Tav. 75 at upper right. The captions read "Abitanti di Sassonia Gotha" (Inhabitants of Saxe Gotha), "Sposa e Pronuba di Sas. Gotha" (Bride and bridesmaid of Saxe Gotha), "Paesani di Altenburg" (Peasants of Altenburg) and "Cittadina vestita per tenere a battesimo" (Townswoman dressed to hold a child at baptism).

Saxe Gotha and Altenburg were Thuringian territories of the Saxon ducal houses. The peasant dress of the Altenburg district, with the men's full black breeches and the women's elaborate headdresses, was well known for its distinctive cut.

With seven figures in varied dress, the plate rewards close viewing and suits a collection of German costume.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.