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Ruff Collars Collection

"Ruff Collars: A Fashion Statement Through the Ages" From the elegant portrait of Margaret of Austria

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, c. 1610 (oil on canvas)

Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, c. 1610 (oil on canvas)
5859944 Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, c.1610 (oil on canvas) by Polanco, Andres Lopez (d.1641); 210.6--109.3 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (engraving)

Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (engraving)
1730117 Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (engraving) by Leu, Thomas de (1560-1612); (add.info.: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-1592) french writer and philosopher, engraving by Thomas de Leu)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Les Affiches Etrangeres, 1897 (lithography)

Les Affiches Etrangeres, 1897 (lithography)
397471 Les Affiches Etrangeres, 1897 (lithography) by Rassenfosse, Armand (1862-1934); JMK Archiv, Bremen, Germany; (add.info.: Les Affiches Etrangeres and Lith. Aug)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Gentleman at the court of King Charles IX of France, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)

Gentleman at the court of King Charles IX of France, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)
7236736 Gentleman at the court of King Charles IX of France, 1575. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Rector at the University of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Rector at the University of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236857 Rector at the University of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of a Rector at the University of Paris, 1586)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236790 Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236781 Doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Epernon, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Epernon, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236775 Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Epernon, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Francis de Lorraine II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise. 1825 (lithograph)

Francis de Lorraine II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise. 1825 (lithograph)
7236739 Francis de Lorraine II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Francis de Lorraine II)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236863 Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1531-1585)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Costume of a page to King Henry III of France, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of a page to King Henry III of France, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236850 Costume of a page to King Henry III of France, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236761 Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Miguel de Cervantes (engraving)

Miguel de Cervantes (engraving)
1731186 Miguel de Cervantes (engraving) by Laurens, Jean Paul (1838-1921) (after); (add.info.: Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) spanish writer, engraving after a drawing by Jean Paul Laurens)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236867 Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)

Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)
7236866 Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon, 1575. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: King Henry IV of France. 1825 (lithograph)

King Henry IV of France. 1825 (lithograph)
7236858 King Henry IV of France. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of King Henry IV of France (1553-1610)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Male fashion during the reign of King Charles IX of France, 1572 1825 (lithograph)

Male fashion during the reign of King Charles IX of France, 1572 1825 (lithograph)
7236742 Male fashion during the reign of King Charles IX of France, 1572 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Henry I, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Count of Eu, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Henry I, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Count of Eu, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236881 Henry I, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Count of Eu, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henry I, Prince of Joinville)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608. 1825 (lithograph)

Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608. 1825 (lithograph)
7236759 Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: King Henry III of France, full portrait from 1575. 1825 (lithograph)

King Henry III of France, full portrait from 1575. 1825 (lithograph)
7236753 King Henry III of France, full portrait from 1575. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: King Henry III of France, 1551-1589)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Sir John Coke, Secretary of State to King Charles I. 1814 (engraving)

Sir John Coke, Secretary of State to King Charles I. 1814 (engraving)
7236118 Sir John Coke, Secretary of State to King Charles I. 1814 (engraving) by Dunkarton, Robert (1744-1811); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir John Coke, 1563-1644, English politician, MP)

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Enter several strange Shapes, bringing in a banquest... inviting the King, etc

Enter several strange Shapes, bringing in a banquest... inviting the King, etc
3260684 Enter several strange Shapes, bringing in a banquest A....inviting the King, etc. to eat, illustration from William Shakespeares The Tempest, pub

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Christine of Lorraine (oil on canvas)

Christine of Lorraine (oil on canvas)
ALI269051 Christine of Lorraine (oil on canvas) by French School, (16th century); Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany

Background imageRuff Collars Collection: Enter several strange Shapes, bringing in a banquest …. inviting the King, etc

Enter several strange Shapes, bringing in a banquest …. inviting the King, etc
Enter several strange Shapes, bringing in a banquest ….inviting the King, etc. to eat, illustration from William Shakespeares The Tempest, pub. 1926 (colour lithograph)


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"Ruff Collars: A Fashion Statement Through the Ages" From the elegant portrait of Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain in 1610 to the detailed engravings by Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, they have been a timeless fashion accessory. These elaborate neckpieces were not only worn by royalty and nobility but also found their place among gentlemen at the court of King Charles IX of France. Intricately depicted in lithographs from Les Affiches Etrangeres in 1897, these collars added grandeur and sophistication to any attire. They adorned the rector at the University of Paris in 1586 as well as the costume of a merchant provost and a doctor at the Faculty of Medicine during that era. Even prominent figures like Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Epernon; Francis de Lorraine II, Prince Joinville, Duke Guise; Jacques Savoy, 2nd Duke Nemours; and pages serving King Henry III embraced this fashionable trend. The lithographs from 1825 beautifully capture their distinct styles. The ruff collar became synonymous with power and prestige throughout history. It symbolized social status while adding an air of elegance to both men's and women's outfits alike. Whether it was a bourgeois man strolling through Paris or a queen ruling her kingdom, everyone sought after these intricate neckpieces. As time passed, fashion evolved, leaving behind some trends while preserving others. However, one thing remains certain – ruff collars will forever be remembered for their contribution to historical fashion statements that transcended time and left an indelible mark on society's perception of style.