Ruff Collar Collection

Lady Diana Spencer, pictured at her London flat in September 1980. Diana posed for The Sunday Mirror for a few minutes and said a few words about how she is learning to handle her new profile in

Archduke Albrecht, c. 1601-20 (oil on panel)
490304 Archduke Albrecht, c.1601-20 (oil on panel) by Pourbus, Frans II (1569-1622) (after); 60x42 cm; Groeningemuseum, Bruges

Archduchess Isabella, c. 1601-20 (oil on panel)
490303 Archduchess Isabella, c.1601-20 (oil on panel) by Pourbus, Frans II (1569-1622) (after); 60x42 cm; Groeningemuseum, Bruges

Sir Francis Drake, 1581 (w / c on vellum)
416546 Sir Francis Drake, 1581 (w/c on vellum) by Hilliard, Nicholas (1547-1619); National Portrait Gallery, London, UK; (add.info.: Sir Francis Drake)

Marie Anne Cuppi, Miss La Camargo, famous ballet dancer, 1710-1770. She wears a small cap, ruff collar
FLO4657620 Marie Anne Cuppi, Miss La Camargo, famous ballet dancer, 1710-1770. She wears a small cap, ruff collar, dress with laced bodice, lace sleeves tied with ribbons

Marie Touchet, mistress of King Charles IX of France, 1549-1638. Daughter of an apothecary
FLO4657407 Marie Touchet, mistress of King Charles IX of France, 1549-1638. Daughter of an apothecary. She wears a bonnet on top of a chaperon, a ruff collar

Margaret of France, Duchess of Berry, daughter of King Francis I, 1523-1574
FLO4657263 Margaret of France, Duchess of Berry, daughter of King Francis I, 1523-1574. She wears a velvet cap, velvet dress with tight bodice, ruff collar, slashed sleeves, scarlet petticoat

Margarita of Navarre, sister of King Francis I, 1492-1549. (Titled Margurite de Valois in error)
FLO4657258 Margarita of Navarre, sister of King Francis I, 1492-1549. (Titled Margurite de Valois in error.) She wears a cap of ribbons decorated with jewels and pearls

Renee de Rieux-Chateauneuf, La Belle Chateauneuf, mistress of King Henry III, 1550-158?
FLO4657481 Renee de Rieux-Chateauneuf, La Belle Chateauneuf, mistress of King Henry III, 1550-158?. She wears a chaperon with peak, black velvet dress with shoulderpads, lace ruff collar

Anne of Pisseleu, Duchess of Etampes, mistress of King Francis I, 1508-1580
FLO4657346 Anne of Pisseleu, Duchess of Etampes, mistress of King Francis I, 1508-1580. She wears a chaperon headdress, velvet especially with lace ruff collar, jeweled choker

Portrait of King James the First, King James I of England, born 1566, began reign 1603 and died 1625
6338617 Portrait of King James the First, King James I of England, born 1566, began reign 1603 and died 1625 by Armstrong, Cosmo (fl.1800-36); (add.info.: Portrait of King James the First)

Scaramouche, from the Masks and Characters of Italian Theatre edition of Le Journal des Dames et des Modes
CHT178329 Scaramouche, from the Masks and Characters of Italian Theatre edition of Le Journal des Dames et des Modes, engraved by Henri Reidel (fl.1914-20) 1914 (colour litho) by Brunelleschi

Oval portrait of Jacques Callot, Baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine, circa 1592-1635
6338695 Oval portrait of Jacques Callot, Baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine, circa 1592-1635 by Masne (19th century) (after); (add.info.: Oval portrait of Jacques Callot)

Portrait of Queen Mary of England, Mary Queen of Scots, Bloody Mary, born 1516, began reign 1553 and died 1558
6338613 Portrait of Queen Mary of England, Mary Queen of Scots, Bloody Mary, born 1516, began reign 1553 and died 1558 by Armstrong, Cosmo (fl.1800-36); (add.info.: Portrait of Queen Mary of England)

Portrait of Christopher Columbus, 1829 (engraving)
1072653 Portrait of Christopher Columbus, 1829 (engraving) by British School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Published by Thomas Kelly)

Miniature of an unknown lady (w / c on vellum)
419691 Miniature of an unknown lady (w/c on vellum) by Hilliard, Nicholas (1547-1619); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Merry Company in a Park, 1614 (oil on panel)
5672007 Merry Company in a Park, 1614 (oil on panel) by Velde, Esaias I van de (1587-1630); 28x39.8 cm; Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands; Dutch, out of copyright

Portrait of a Woman, c. 1630 (oil on panel)
5671807 Portrait of a Woman, c.1630 (oil on panel) by Rubens, Peter Paul (1577-1640); 114.5x90.5 cm; Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands; (add.info.: possibly Clara Fourment (1593-1643)

Portrait of a Boy at the Spanish Court, c. 1565-70 (oil on canvas)
873233 Portrait of a Boy at the Spanish Court, c.1565-70 (oil on canvas) by Anguissola, Sofonisba (c.1532-1625); 59.06 x48.26 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Michel de Montaigne (litho)
2562800 Michel de Montaigne (litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-92)

Saint Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel (oil on canvas)
DON279036 Saint Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel (oil on canvas) by Gower, George (1540-96); 47x36.8 cm; His Grace The Duke of Norfolk, Arundel Castle; (add.info.: Howard (1557-95)

Thomas Howard, c. 1730 (w / c on paper)
DON279024 Thomas Howard, c.1730 (w/c on paper) by Vertue, George (1684-1756); 24.8x17.8 cm; His Grace The Duke of Norfolk

Henri de Montmorency (1534-1614), Constable of France (oil on canvas)
PWI261830 Henri de Montmorency (1534-1614), Constable of France (oil on canvas) by French School, (16th century); Chateau de Beauregard

Henri IV (1553-1610) King of France, from Receuil des Estampes
STC195003 Henri IV (1553-1610) King of France, from Receuil des Estampes, representant les Rangs et les Dignites, suivant le Costume de toutes les Nations existantes

Henri de la Tour d Auvergne (1555-1623) Duke of Bouillon and Charles de Gontaut
PLT191455 Henri de la Tour d Auvergne (1555-1623) Duke of Bouillon and Charles de Gontaut (1562-1602) Duke of Biron, 1617-38 (oil on canvas) by French School, (17th century); Chateau de Beauregard

LtoR: Richard Hilliard (1518 / 19-94) the artists father, c
BAL8317 LtoR:Richard Hilliard (1518/19-94) the artists father, c.1577, and Self Portrait, 1577 (w/c on vellum laid on to card) by Hilliard, Nicholas (1547-1619); Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Portrait of a child
WES67075 Portrait of a child by Anguissola, Sofonisba (c.1532-1625); 85x66 cm; The Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation, UK; Italian, out of copyright

Portrait of a Lady, 1600-1700 (oil on panel)
BIR189295 Portrait of a Lady, 1600-1700 (oil on panel) by English School, (17th century); Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery; English, out of copyright

Portrait of a Lady, said to be Princess Sohns (oil on panel)
BAL15533 Portrait of a Lady, said to be Princess Sohns (oil on panel) by Hanneman, Adriaen (c.1601-71); Johnny van Haeften Gallery, London, UK; Dutch, out of copyright

Richard Hilliard, c. 1577 (w / c on vellum)
416526 Richard Hilliard, c.1577 (w/c on vellum) by Hilliard, Nicholas (1547-1619); Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Richard Hilliard (1518/19-94) the artists father); English

Richard Weston, Earl of Portland, Lord High Treasurer, c. 1630 (oil on panel)
2829848 Richard Weston, Earl of Portland, Lord High Treasurer, c.1630 (oil on panel) by British School, (17th century); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Richard Weston)

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In the world of fashion, trends come and go, but some styles leave an indelible mark on history. One such iconic accessory is the ruff collar. Dating back centuries, this ornate neckpiece has adorned the necks of royalty, nobility, and even famous figures like Lady Diana Spencer. Looking at historical portraits from different eras, we can see how the ruff collar evolved over time. Sir Henry Unton's portrait from 1596 showcases a stiff and elaborate white ruff that frames his face with grandeur. Similarly, in Sir Francis Drake's c. 1580 painting, we witness a wide lace ruff adding regal elegance to his attire. The detail of Elizabeth I's 1575 portrait reveals her donning an exquisite lace-edged ruff collar that accentuates her majestic presence. Archduke Albrecht and Archduchess Isabella also embraced this trend during their reign in the early 17th century when oil paintings captured them wearing intricately pleated collars. Even future monarchs were not immune to its allure; as seen in Charles I's portraits both as Prince of Wales and King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The delicate frills around his neck add a touch of refinement to his regalia. But it wasn't just reserved for royals; individuals like Marie Anne Cuppi - famously known as Miss La Camargo - flaunted small cap-sized ruffs while captivating audiences with her ballet performances in the early 18th century. Meanwhile, Marie Touchet - mistress to King Charles IX of France - showcased her status through a bonnet-topped chaperon paired with a lavish velvet brocade dress complete with shoulder pads over an embroidered petticoat. From opulent courtiers to renowned dancers or mistresses who left their mark on history – all have been united by one common thread: the timeless charm of the ruff collar.