Periwig Collection

Portrait of Samuel Sewall, in periwig and long coat, c1700-1720, (1937). Creator: Unknown
Portrait of Samuel Sewall, Governor and Judge of Massachusetts Colony, showing the periwig and long coat of the reign of James II, c1700-1720, (1937)

William hogarths The Five orders of periwig
Vintage engraving of William hogarths The Five orders of periwig. (The Five Orders of Perriwigs as they were Worn at the Late Coronation Measured Architectonically)

A man dressed as Charles II, or at least somebody who looks very like him. Date: c. 1910
A man dressed as Charles II, or at least somebody who looks very like him. Date: c.1910

The Five Orders of Periwigs by William Hogarth
3521485 The Five Orders of Periwigs by William Hogarth by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); (add.info.: The Five Orders of Periwigs)

King Charles II, c. 1678 (terracotta)
5938303 King Charles II, c.1678 (terracotta) by Bushnell, John (c.1606-1701); 78.5 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK; (add.info.: Charles II (1630-85)

King Charles II, c. 1678 (terracotta)
5938289 King Charles II, c.1678 (terracotta) by Bushnell, John (c.1606-1701); 78.5 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK; (add.info.: Charles II (1630-85)

King Charles II, c. 1678 (terracotta)
5938284 King Charles II, c.1678 (terracotta) by Bushnell, John (c.1606-1701); 78.5 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK; (add.info.: Charles II (1630-85)

Sir William Robinson, Knt. 1693 (oil on canvas)
HEH416371 Sir William Robinson, Knt. 1693 (oil on canvas) by Kneller, Godfrey (1646-1723); 127x102.6 cm; Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, CA

Anne, Duchess of Cumberland, c. 1777 (oil on canvas)
HEH416311 Anne, Duchess of Cumberland, c.1777 (oil on canvas) by Gainsborough, Thomas (1727-88); 91.4x71.8 cm; Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, CA

Portrait of Mrs. William Villebois (oil on canvas)
CH433483 Portrait of Mrs. William Villebois (oil on canvas) by Gainsborough, Thomas (1727-88); 226x147 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: in masquerade dress)

Richard Snow, 1738 (oil on canvas)
5938262 Richard Snow, 1738 (oil on canvas) by Pond, Arthur (c.1700-58); 75.2x62.9 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK; eFitzwilliam Museum; British, out of copyright

Elizabeth, Duchess of Hamilton, Brandon and Argyll, after C. Read, 1770 (mezzotint)
2629152 Elizabeth, Duchess of Hamilton, Brandon and Argyll, after C. Read, 1770 (mezzotint) by Finlayson, John (1730-1776); 51x35.5 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English

Thomas d Urfey, engraved by George Vertue (1683-1756), 1732 (engraving)
418525 Thomas d Urfey, engraved by George Vertue (1683-1756), 1732 (engraving) by Gouge, Edward (fl.1690-d.c.1735) (after); 12.9x7.5 cm; Gerald Coke Handel Collection, Foundling Museum

The Five Orders of the Perriwigs, October 15, 1761 (etching)
1069132 The Five Orders of the Perriwigs, October 15, 1761 (etching) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); 29.5x21.3 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

The Wigmaker, published in Augsburg, c. 1735 (colour litho)
CHT189307 The Wigmaker, published in Augsburg, c.1735 (colour litho) by Engelbrecht, Martin (1684-1756); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; German, out of copyright

Aaron Hill, 1709 (engraving)
418533 Aaron Hill, 1709 (engraving) by Hulsberg, Hendrick (d.1729); 27x17.6 cm; Gerald Coke Handel Collection, Foundling Museum, London; (add.info.: Aaron Hill (1685 -1750) English dramatist

The Five Orders of Periwigs, 1761. Creator: William Hogarth
The Five Orders of Periwigs, 1761

The Five Orders of Periwigs, November 1761. November 1761. Creator: William Hogarth
The Five Orders of Periwigs, November 1761

Portrait of a boy in periwig, Massachusetts Colony, c1680s, (1937). Creator: Unknown
Portrait of a boy in periwig in the Massachusetts Colony, end of the reign of Charles II, c1680s, (1937). From " History of American Costume - Book One 1607-1800", by Elisabeth McClellan

Manuel de Amat y Junient (1707-1782). Spanish military officer and colonial administrator. Royal governor of Chile and Viceroy of Peru. Portrait

Thomas Secker - Reynolds
Thomas Secker (1693 - 1768) - Archbishop of Canterbury Date: 1825

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Periwigs: A Fashion Statement Through the Ages" From the elegant portrait of Samuel Sewall in his periwig and long coat, to a man resembling King Charles II himself, periwigs have played a significant role in fashion history. William Hogarth's masterpiece, "The Five Orders of Periwigs, " showcases the various styles that were popular during his time. Dating back to the 17th century, these elaborate wigs were not only worn by royalty but also by prominent figures like Sir William Robinson and Anne, Duchess of Cumberland. The terracotta sculptures of King Charles II capture his regal appearance adorned with a magnificent periwig. As seen in the oil paintings of Mrs. William Villebois and Richard Snow, both men and women embraced this trend as a symbol of status and refinement. Even Elizabeth, Duchess of Hamilton, Brandon, and Argyll chose to immortalize herself wearing a stunning periwig through C. Read's mezzotint artwork. Throughout history, periwigs have served as more than just an accessory; they represented power, wealth, and social standing. Whether it was for practical reasons or purely fashionable purposes, these intricate hairstyles left an indelible mark on society. Today we may view periwigs as relics from another era; however their influence can still be felt in modern hair trends where people experiment with different styles to express their individuality. As we admire these historical portraits depicting individuals donning exquisite periwigs - let us remember how fashion has always been an avenue for self-expression throughout time.