An Ancient Habit of a Countrywoman of Friesland

by Thomas Jefferys

Time travel back to the mid-eighteenth century with this elegant copperplate engraving by the celebrated Geographer to King George III, Thomas Jefferys. This particular plate shows us the "Ancient Habit" of a Woman from the Frisian Region of Friesland, an independent province of the Netherlands which is characterized by its rich cultural heritage and strong marine tradition.

This print shows us the typical silhouette of Frisian clothing through the unique style of their headwear, often a precursor of the famous Dutch "oorijzer," and their layered, heavy textiles for the harsh climate of the North Sea coast. The print provides us with valuable information on eighteenth-century fashions and represents both a work of art and an ethnographic document.