Stuart collar
Stuart collar or Medici collar was the name of a collar shape for women that was in fashion from the end of the 16th to the early 17th centuries .
The collar extending from the cleavage stands up in a fan shape in the neck and has been reinforced by drawn-in wires; it often consisted of precious Venetian lace . It was mostly used in France , England and the Netherlands .
The Stuart collar was incorrectly named after the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart , who is said to have worn this type of collar frequently. Medici collar refers accordingly to Mary of Medici , whereby this collar shape rises even higher than the Stuart collar.
Louise de Lorraine, c. 1580. A collar with pleated folds.
Robert Peake (?): Elizabeth I in a procession , around 1600 (detail)
John de Critz (?): Anne of Denmark , around 1605. A smooth version with lots of lace for a round neckline.
Rubens (?): Charlotte-Marguerite de Montmorency , (1594–1650). The maitress of Henry IV wears a very simple variant of the Medici collar.
Anthonis van Dyck : Marie Louise de Tassis , around 1630.
Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun : Luise von Preußen , 1801. In the Empire around 1800 a similar stand-up collar became modern again.