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Costume peculiar to the Inhabitants of the Western

Ancient traditional costumes of Madeira

Em português : Portuguese version of this page

Costume peculiar to the Inhabitants of the Western  in Madeira around 1820 - engraving reproduced and restored by © Norbert Pousseur
Madeira - ~1820 - Costume peculiar to some of the Western Inhabitants of the Island

For comparison, couple of inhabitants of the West of Madeira Island around 1820 - engraving reproduced and restored by © Norbert Pousseur Another couple of Madeira inhabitants around 1820 - engraving reproduced and restored by © Norbert Pousseur
Comparison of clothing between residents on the west side of the island
and those living elsewhere

 

engraving and text extracted from
History of Madeira - 1821 (from my library)
Madeira was then under British domination


Costume peculiar to the Inhabitants
of the Western part of the Island



There is a manifest difference between the southern and western natives of the island of Madeira. It is not necessary to attempt a philosophical inquiry into the causes of this variety. It is sufficient for these pages merely to state its existence. Those of the western side lay claim to, as they indeed possess, a decided superiority over those of the southern part of the island. Their manners and habits are more simple and natural ; their figures present a more regular proportion, and their skin a finer complexion. They are described also, as remarkable for the brightness of their eyes, the growth of their hair, and the beauty of their teeth. They frequently go barefoot ; but when their feet are clad, they wear boots made of goat-skins, which are light and durable, and being white, have a pretty appearance. The whole dress of both sexes has a picturesque character, both as to shape and variety of colours. For its materials, the wearers are solely indebted to their own domestic manufacture, in which the female hands are more particularly employed.

Beauty ’s a thing will ever claim
Attention to its very name,
And, in whatever form 'tis seen,
Will be, as it has ever been,
A charm to the admiring eye
In all her vast variety.
Whether in her wild, native state,
Or living or inanimate ;
If she in flow’ry vale appears,
Or the rude, rocky mountain rears ;
Whether the crystal riv’let flow,
Through verdant meads, or from the brow
Of some high clift the torrents pour,
In dashing foam and ceaseless roar :
Or when fair art its aid displays,
And doth the stately mansion raise
T’ enrich the landscape all serene,
And with new forms adorn the scene.
But how superior is the charm
That is from living nature warm,
And, in its various scale of sense,
Beams with the mind’s intelligence,
Whether it sparkles from the eye,
Or smiles ’twixt rows of ivory ;
Or when the native tresses break
In flowing ringlets down the neck,
And grace a form that doth command
The wishes of the sculptor’s hand.
These are the beauties that impart
An impulse to the glowing heart,
Whether in courtly robes array’d, 
Or seen beneath the rural shade,
In shepherd swain or rustic maid.

 

Costumes:
The comparison of dress between these two peasant couples is not great, except indeed, as the text says, in relation to the richness of the clothes.
The westerners both wear the traditional Madeiran striped cloth, and the man has an extra jacket, not just a shirt. His wife, if she also walks barefoot, like the other, holds her shoes in her right hand.
These are the only notable differences, except that those in the west seem to raise livestock (ducks and lamb).

Translated with DeepL

 

Previous :
Peasants in usual costume

Traditional costumes Next :
Madeira and its fishing around 1820


Vignette : Madère, le port - Gravure  de 1820 reproduite puis restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Introduction of the book
Vignette : Travaux ruraux à Madère vers 1820  - gravure reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Rural works
Vignette : Paysans allant au marché à Madère vers 1820  - gravure reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
To the market
Vignette : Manière de ciltiver le sol à Madère vers 1820  - gravure reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Farmers at work
Vignette : Fermier et sa fille allant en ville à Madère vers 1820  - gravure reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Farmers on the road
Vignette : Activités rurales féminines à Madère vers 1820  - gravure reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Domestic work
Vignette : Couple de paysans avec guitare à Madère vers 1820  - gravure reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Young couple
  Vignette : A Madère, pêcheur à la ligne, et son compagnon  - gravure de 1821  reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Fishermen
Vignette : A Madère, musiciens itinérants  - gravure de 1821  reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Travelling musicians
Vignette : A Madère, transport du vin clair en ville - gravure de 1821  reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Claret wine
Vignette : A Madère, transport du vin avec un attelage de bœufs  - gravure de 1821  reproduite et restaurée par © Norbert Pousseur
Transport of wine
Vignette : A Madère, un outre de vin qui profite au transporteur  - gravure de 1821  reproduite et restaurée numériquement par © Norbert Pousseu
Accidental wine

Vignette : A Madère, un gros franciscain et son frère lai  - gravure de 1821  reproduite et restaurée numériquement par © Norbert Pousseur
2 Franciscans
Vignette : A Madère, un gros franciscain récoltant des dons, tendrementi  - gravure de 1821  reproduite et restaurée numériquement par © Norbert Pousseur
Collecting gifts

This engraving of Madeira people can be enlarged by zoom,
the original measuring 17x22 cm

 

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