Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/285

 Venetian quadrille. Her dress was of pale blue satin, nearly covered with gold embroidery and precious stones, forming the front breadth to a train of ruby velvet, embroidered in gold and silver, and lined with blue satin, fastened back with precious stones; the close sleeves to the wrist were of ruby velvet, with blue satin puffings, also gold embroidered; the small ruff was edged with gold, and the body of the dress covered with strings of pearls; the small round Venetian cap, of ruby velvet, was one mass of jewels. The Duchess of Manchester wore white and gold, with olive-green and gold-embroidered sleeves. The Countess of Craven, in the costume of Ignota, detta la Bella di Tiziano, green embossed velvet, embroidered with gold, over a white satin petticoat, also embroidered in gold. (See ) The Duchess of San Teodoro, as Queen of Cyprus, appeared in violet velvet, trimmed with gold and pearls, over mauve satin, all pearls and gold; a gold girdle round the waist. The close and flowing sleeves, jewelled bodices, feathered hats and caps, are such as Paul Veronese and Titian have handed down to us. A notable Venetian dress is as follows: Train and bodice of white and gold brocade, with long open sleeves hanging from the shoulders, finished off with gold fringe, over tight sleeves of crimson satin, embroidered with pearls and gold; crimson satin petticoat, worked in gold; gold girdle and pouch; ruff and white and gold gauze veil. Brocade, satin, and velvet, embroidered in gold, were the materials most used for petticoat and dress; white and black gauze for veils; fine lawn and reticella for ruffs. The hair was arranged in small curls and puffs about the forehead, and formed a knot at the back of the head, as a support for the veil. The fan was made of ostrich-feathers, suspended from the girdle by a chain of gold or silver. The most usual make of Venetian dresses was a full all-round or trained skirt, long stiff pointed bodice, cut as a high square, with a ruff coming from the' back of the shoulders; sleeves to wrist, with cuffs; a jewelled girdle; pointed cap and veil. In winter, robings of fur were introduced. (See Plate XII., Fig. 45.) Venetian mantles, made of black silk lined and embroidered with the same colours, are occasionally worn over ordinary evening dress in lieu of a fancy costume.

VENETIAN FISHGIRL. Old gold-coloured satin petticoat; crimson silk tunic, with goldjace and crimson fringe; black velvet bodice, with gold trimmings; white silk under-