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Robe à la Polonaise, dress, latter half of 1770s

Robe à la polonaise means Polish dress in French. Poland was hit hard by several wars and internal divisions. In 1772, the country was split into three parts that were incorporated into Austria, Prussia and Russia respectively. The three-part country of Poland gave its name to this dress, the overgown which fastens at the back in three parts with the help of ties.

The dress is made from linen fabric with blue linen yarn embroidery. The mid-length overgown is cut à l’anglaise, as per the English fashion of the time, with a tight bodice and no back pleats. The bodice is front-laced.

Material

Linen

Length

Robe 120 cm, skirt 92 cm

Technique

Embroidered

Inventory number

KM 67871.2