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Post by lastbloom on May 4, 2010 13:50:20 GMT -5
I bought myself a used copy of "Mrs. Hurst Dancing & Other Scenes from Regency Life" last summer. www.amazon.com/Hurst-Dancing-Scenes-Regency-1812-23/dp/0312551290I love Diana's watercolors -- they are charming and funny, and I love the little peek into everyday life. She's even done a watercolor of a lady in her shift "murdering a spider" with a shoe! These little pieces make a refreshing change from all the stiff and formal portraits. Has anyone else looked through this book?  |
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Post by dawnluckham on May 4, 2010 14:22:53 GMT -5
Isn’t it just the loveliest little book? It’s one of my favourites too! It’s a wonderful discovery! I hope you’ll enjoy it for many, many years.  Don't you just love their Cardinal Cloaks? Now! If I could just figure out what the little “jumper-style” dresses they’re wearing in so many of the paintings are, I’d be thrilled to death! I have a little mental check-list: This is rural England: These dates are from 1812-1823: I have seen Princess Charlotte’s “Russian” dress c. 1816 which matches these images quite nicely. However…I’ve never seen another extent garment like it: The second little painting “Shuttlecocks” shows 3 women wearing this type of gown in 1812. This must be a bodiced petticoat and a “habit shirt”  ?? Maybe? Description under “Pappy and Mum” (painting 5) suggests this is a white long sleeved gown with a short sleeved “pelisse or overgown” ? Perhaps this is a style of dress that could be worn by those doing living history but I’m uncertain and I hesitate to suggest it. This is the only place I’ve seen it. Is it suitable for 1812? I wish I knew! If anyone else has seen this style gown in any other places, please share! We can “hash it out” together here! |
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Post by lastbloom on May 4, 2010 16:23:21 GMT -5
I know exactly what you mean! I saw those little jumper things for the first time in Becoming Jane (which I didn't care for very much), and just hated them because I had never seen them before in my research. But then when I picked up a copy of this book a little light went on. I wonder if the costumer for the film was looking at Sperling's work when she came up with the design? The waist is still way too low, but it is an interesting style.  |
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Post by Lady Caroline on Jun 11, 2010 10:28:18 GMT -5
I also saw "Becoming Jane" (also did not care for it) and wondered where they got the idea for "jumper dresses". Could these have been old dresses where the sleeves had worn our or become torn, and the rest of the dress could be used as a jumper.
I do Living History for War of 1812 and would really hesitate to wear one unless I had some facts as to where and when this was worn.
Some of us do wear a "Short Gown" over a work dress....this is a variation of the jackets worn by working women in the 18th century. However, the waist on these is under the bust, to match the dress underneath. I am almost sure I saw the mother in "Sense and Sensibility" wearing one. Looks like the jacket was worn to protect a dress while perhaps "setting the house to rights" in the morning.
Lady Caroline
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Post by lastbloom on Jul 27, 2010 11:27:19 GMT -5
I've scanned in a number of images from the book. I apologize for the poor quality of the scans. tinyurl.com/2bmcgjw |
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Post by Anna on Aug 5, 2010 0:45:55 GMT -5
Oh my word, how wonderful. I will get this book!
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Aug 5, 2010 10:39:45 GMT -5
I know exactly what you mean! I saw those little jumper things for the first time in Becoming Jane (which I didn't care for very much), and just hated them because I had never seen them before in my research. But then when I picked up a copy of this book a little light went on. I wonder if the costumer for the film was looking at Sperling's work when she came up with the design? The waist is still way too low, but it is an interesting style. I bid on this jumper gown from Mansfield park when it went up for sale on ebay a few years ago (it's in the first scene): I can't imagine it would be difficult to make one. |
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Post by lastbloom on Sept 25, 2010 11:24:08 GMT -5
Here's a great portrait showing a "jumper" style gown on Irish author Mrs. Maria Edgeworth. It looks very similar to what Di Sperling's mother wears in many of her watercolors. Unlike the jumpers in Becoming Jane, this (and Mrs. Sperling's) appear to be somewhat less "rustic" looking. tinyurl.com/28dcqlf |
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Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong? ~ Jane Austen