Pearl Clusters for Tudor Garments

Pearl Ouches for Adorning French Hoods and Other 16th Century Garments.
In the 16th century the garments of the nobility were adorned with clusters of pearls called ouches. These were clusters of four to eight pearls or more. In many instances they were interspersed with other jewels, sometimes gold or precious stones set in gold.

In this detail of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I when Princes c1546 you can see the groups of 8 pearls alternating with gems set in gold medallions.

In this picture of Catherine de’ Medici you can see the same alternation pattern in the necklace and the French Hood but with clusters of 5.

The pearls in the clusters could conceivably be sewn directly to the garment individually. However, since the same patterns are used in various ways, including hanging down from the bottom of the hood I believe that they are assembled separately by wiring them together then sewn down as a unit.

Instructions on creating a simple 5 pearl cluster will be added as soon as I re-take some of the pictures.

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