Tyrolean Walking Dress
Hand-colored fashion plate (etching/engraving) • Rudolph Ackermann (Publisher); plate from 'The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics'
Style & Movement
Neoclassical / Regency fashion illustration
Medium & Technique
Intaglio etching or engraving on paper with hand-applied watercolor washes.
Creation Period
August 1809 (Regency Era)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 5 inches (23 x 13 cm); Portrait format.
Subject Description
A female figure modeling a high-waisted white Empire-line chemise dress paired with a dark green open pelisse or mantle lined in yellow. She wears a distinctive Tyrolean-style hat with feathers and a locket necklace, illustrating the influence of European folk costume on London high fashion.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Grade B+); exhibits typical age-toning and minor foxing consistent with early 19th-century paper.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $120 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $75 USD
Provenance History
Likely extracted from a bound volume of Ackermann's 'Repository of Arts.' Previous owners would have been subscribers to the magazine in the early 1800s.
Art Historical Significance
A primary source for Regency fashion history, Ackermann's plates are highly regarded for their fine detail and historical accuracy in documenting the shift toward 'Romantic' and military-inspired influences during the Napoleonic Wars.
Notable Features
Includes original publication text at the bottom: 'Tyrolese Walking Dress' and publication line 'No. 8 of Ackermann's Repository of Arts Pub Aug 1st 1809 at 101 Strand London.' Plate and volume numbers are visible in the top corners.
Condition Issues
Visible edge wear, mild discoloration (browning) of the paper, and slight foxing (small brown spots) near the top edges. Minor rippling from past moisture exposure or storage.
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free mounting and matting; use of UV-protective glass. Keep away from direct sunlight and high-humidity environments to prevent further foxing.