Gown of Countess Palatine Dorothea Sabina of Neuburg
Details
South Germany, c. 1598
Silk, metal
H. 136 cm
From the burial place of the Counts Palatine of Neuburg in Lauingen. Assigned from the parish church of St Martin in Lauingen on the Danube in 1877
Inv. No. T 4382 - T 4403
Fashion and Accessories,
Textiles
Renaissance
Description
This magnificent dress is justifiably famous all over the world. It is one of the very few complete women's garments from the 16th century to have survived. It is made of olive green silk velvet with gold trim and has hanging sleeves with yellow, slashed atlas silk lining. The green taffeta underskirt is decorated with silver lace. The materials alone show that this garment was worn by a princess; other women were forbidden to wear such precious clothing. Dorothea Sabina of Palatinate-Neuburg died at the age of only 21 and was buried in this gown. The garment embodies the Spanish courtly fashion prevalent in Europe, albeit of an Italian cut that was popular in Bavaria.
