Nobleman of Burgundy in Purple Plumed Cap and Red Sash, Costume of 1581, 1757

This is an original antique copper engraving with hand coloring, lettered "Habit of a Nobleman of Burgundy, in 1581." It is plate 158 from Thomas Jefferys' A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations, published in London in 1757. The bearded nobleman stands with his left hand on his hip, a sword hilt showing at his side. He wears a purple cap with a jeweled band and pink plumes, a ruff, and a brown doublet with gold chains and a red sash across his chest. A short purple cape patterned with flowers and stripes hangs from his right shoulder. His very full brown trunk hose are gathered above yellow stockings tied with purple garter bows, and he wears buff shoes.

The English title is engraved in script below the figure, with the French caption "Noble de Bourgogne." (Nobleman of Burgundy) beneath it and the plate number 158 at lower right. No engraver or designer is named on the plate. The date in the English title is the date of the costume shown; the print itself was published in 1757. The preceding plate shows a nobleman of Burgundy in the dress of 1577.

Jefferys was a London geographer and map publisher, styled on his title page Geographer to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with premises in the Strand. In 1757 he issued the second volume of A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations, Antient and Modern. Particularly Old English Dresses, whose figures, according to the title page, were taken after the designs of Holbein, Vandyke, Hollar and others. The parallel French title, Recueil des Habillements de Différentes Nations, explains the bilingual captions.

A plain mat in a warm white sets off the hand coloring, and the plate pairs naturally with other figures from the series.

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