A Stylish Paper Doll July: Early-15th Century European Gown

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Sources:

• BL Harley 4431 The Book of the Queen, 48r, held at the British Library. The book was made in Paris, France and dates from between 1410 and 1414.
• Morgan M.536 Grandes Chroniques de France, 150v, held at the Morgan Library. It was made between 1410-1412 in Northern France.
• BNF Français 357 Guiron le Courtois, 266v held at the Bibliothèque Nationale. The book was made in Paris, France and dates from 1420.

Based on these three manuscript illustrations, I worked on this gown. The style is early 15th century French. The headdress is referred to today as a “heart-shaped hennin”, but I don’t know if that was a term in the 15th century for it.

Given that this is paper doll #15, it might surprise you to know it was actually the first or second one I sketched out. Most of the 1910s stuff was the first stuff I worked on, but the 15th century paper dolls were being worked on at the same time. Historical 1400s clothing is not an area that I’m super knowledgable about, but I have been itching to do some for a long time. Even more than the 1910s, it is an era I’ve largely neglected.

This is partly because I don’t know much about it and because I find it all a little intimidating. Also, the headdresses are…. bananas.

I went back and forth about this dress and the headdress. In the end, I decided the sharing things I’m not sure about is an important part of this month long project. Finish it and move on is my motto right now.