Mantlet Collection

The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier
CUL4901246 The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier, c.1471 - 1475 (tapestry) by Grenier

The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier
CUL4901232 The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier, c.1471 - 1475 (tapestry) by Grenier

The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier
CUL4901174 The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier, c.1471 - 1475 (tapestry) by Grenier

The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier
CUL4901195 The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier, c.1471 - 1475 (tapestry) by Grenier

The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier
CUL4901135 The Pastrana Tapestries, manufacturing of Tournai, probably from the workshop of Passchier Grenier, c.1471 - 1475 (tapestry) by Grenier

Middle Ages. Wood mantlet on wheels. Engraving by Serra
Middle Ages. Mantlet. Large shield or portable shelter used for stopping projectiles. Wood mantlet on wheels. Engraving by Serra. Museo Militar, 1883. Later colouration. Date: 2020

Interior of the (Russian) Barrack Battery, Showing Mantelets, 1855. Salted paper print, from the album " Photographs taken in the Crimea" (1856)

The Mantlets, 1855 (b / w photo)
701529 The Mantlets, 1855 (b/w photo) by Robertson, James (1813-88); Private Collection; (add.info.: The ruins of the Barrack Battery, one of the six main redoubts which defended Sevastopol)

Siege, c1260, (1843). Artist: Henry Shaw
Siege, c1260, (1843). Copy of a manuscript illustration showing assailants, under cover of a kind of shed which has been moved by wheels up to the walls, undermining the tower

From Left Clockwise, An Archer, The Standard Of Richard, Earl Of Warwick, A Crossbow Man And A Pavoiser. From The British Army: Its Origins, Progress And Equipment, Published 1868

French peasant, 14th century.. Handcolored copperplate drawn and engraved by Leopold Massard from French Costumes from King Clovis to Our Days, Massard, Mifliez, Paris, 1834

Skunk Mantlet 1922
Woman in a skunk fur muff & mantlet with the collar faced in ermine, a belt with a decorative clasp worn low on the waist, a tubular skirt & a broad brimmed hat

Chinese Kolinsky Mantlet
A mantlet in chinese Kolinsky fur with a high stand collar, 2 large buttons & long fringing hanging from the sleeves to create the effect of a cape from the back. Date: 1922

Costume / Lingerie 1851
Items of Lingerie: embroidered casaque (jacket) & mantlet with scallop edges; 2 lace caps; chemisette; the cuffs of 2 undersleeves trimmed with ribbon & volans

Walking Dress 1840
Grey dress with a single flounce & bouillon (puffing) on the skirt, lace ruff & brown fur muff & fur-trimmed pelerine-mantlet, broad brimmed bonnet with plumes

Costume Men & Woman 1879
A fashionable lady in a black lace mantlet or pelerine is surrounded by male admirers in frock coat & top hat, riding dress or checked trousers & helmet hat with scarf

Mole & Skunk Mantlet
Woman wears a mantlet in mole & skunk fur with a high stand collar, leather gloves & a long pleated tubular skirt

Afternoon Mantlet 1913
Mantlet in a bold red floral fabric with black collar & turned-back cuffs worn with a black hobble skirt, soft hat or toque & drop earrings

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In the Middle Ages, a wooden mantlet on wheels was a crucial defensive tool used during sieges. Engravings by Serra depict these formidable structures, showcasing their importance in protecting soldiers from enemy fire. The Russian Barrack Battery of 1855 provides us with a glimpse into the interior workings of this military structure, revealing rows of mantelets ready for battle. A black and white photograph from the same year captures the essence of these protective shields, highlighting their presence amidst the chaos of war. One such siege depicted in an 1843 artwork by Henry Shaw showcases how mantlets were employed strategically to shield soldiers as they advanced towards enemy fortifications. Even peasants in fourteenth-century France recognized the significance of mantlets as defense mechanisms against potential threats. The British Army's historical account published in 1868 sheds light on various roles played by individuals within an army unit - archers and crossbowmen armed with deadly accuracy while being protected behind sturdy mantelets. Meanwhile, fashion trends intertwined with military equipment as seen through costume illustrations from different eras: lingerie and walking dresses adorned with stylish accessories like mole or skunk mantlets. Not limited to Europe alone, Chinese kolinsky mantlets demonstrate that similar defensive tools were utilized across continents throughout history. These versatile shields served not only practical purposes but also found their way into fashionable attire for both men and women during the late nineteenth century. From medieval warfare to modern-day fashion statements, it is evident that mantlets have left an indelible mark on our collective history – symbolizing protection and resilience against adversity across cultures and time periods.