Mantua Makers

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

MANTUA MAKERS (R8x32) 3C (4C set) Hugh Foss Mantua-Makers Set

1- 8 1s+2s dance double Fig of 8 (2s end facing out)
9-16 1s+2s+3s set; 1s+2s ½ turn on sides (Men RH and Ladies LH) while 3s set, all 3 couples set, 1s+3s ½ turn on sides (Men LH and Ladies RH) while 2s set
17-24 1s dance reels of 3 on sides (1s dancing in and up, 3s out and down to start) 1s end facing up between 3s who face down
25-28 1s+3s set, ¾ turn on sides (Men LH, Ladies RH) to end on sides with 3s facing out
29-32 1s+3s set, turning about (Men pull back LSh, Ladies RSh), change hands, 1s+3s ½ turn (Men RH, Ladies LH) to finish on sides, 3s facing out. 2134
(On repeat 1s+3s turn once round, 1s end in 4th place)

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

Mantua Makers - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

A Mantua Maker was a professional dressmaker during the 17th and 18th centuries, specialising in the creation of mantuas, which were fashionable gowns worn by women of the time.

The term originates from the Italian city of Mantua, known for its influence on textile production and fashion trends. These artisans possessed significant expertise in working with luxurious materials such as silk, brocade, and velvet, and they were adept at creating intricate designs and embellishments, including embroidery and lacework.

Mantua makers played a crucial role in the sartorial world, serving clients from the aristocracy and the wealthy middle class who sought bespoke and elegantly tailored garments. Their work often required a deep understanding of contemporary fashion trends, as well as technical skills in cutting and assembling complex patterns to achieve the desired fit and style.

The Pretty Mantua Maker, c. 1772

This page uses content under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, along with original copyrighted content and excerpts from Wikipedia and other sources.
Text from this original Dressmaker article on Wikipedia.
Image from (cropped) British Museum, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Mantua Makers' page