Madamouselle Jeannette Beauchamps

Born the daughter of a lowly slater in the glittering age of Louis XV, Jeanne Beauchamps was destined for something greater than the life of a country wife. Beautiful, spirited, sensual and questing, Jeanne encounters two remarkable men - handsome and clever Dr Philibert Aubriot, the King's botanist, and Vincent de Cotignac, the fiery Chevalier and global adventurer - and through them she moulds a niche for herself as an undisputed queen of French high society.

 Based on the character fron Fanny Deschamps famous French novel `La Bougainvillee' (translated version entitled `The King's Garden') 

The dark green tafetta gown Jeanne is wearing is embellished with scallop edged ruffles and frills. Little hand made coral, peach and rose pink silk ribbon roses are dotted up and down, entwined with glittering beads. The underlayer of the full skirt is decorated to the front with horizontal frills, whilst the upper skirt is split at centre front and has vertical ruffles at each edge. This heavy double skirt is supported by a padded `bum roll' attached to a crepe satin petticoat.

The bodice has an elabrately embroidered `stomacher', criss-crossed with coral silk ribbon and emerald green silver lined seed beads, caught with seed pearls. Three large peach bows top the embellishment. The lavish cuffs on the sleeves are lined with gold embroidered lace, and the ruffles at her elbow are decorated withmore silk flowers, whilst  the neckline is edged with tiny pearls and clusters of green beads, and bordered by two long ruffles, reaching down to the waistline.

The large picture hat sits to the side, showing of her lavich Rococo curls!

Her accessories consist of a Gainsborough hat, a small lace purse, be-ribboned shoes, earrings, necklace and bracelet, and lace stockings and garter, gold foldable fan, a key and a gold cross charm.

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