According to researchers at the Museum Kaap Skil in the Netherlands, a stunning silver bridal gown was found in a 17th-century shipwreck. In 1660, a ship carrying a great trove of luxury items perished off the coast of Texel, the largest island in the North Sea.
Over four centuries later, virtually nothing remains of the unnamed wooden Dutch commercial ship. Nevertheless, as the mud and sand that hid the wreck washed away, what surfaced in 2010 were smashed chests.
After four years, divers retrieved the chests and brought them to the surface. According to specialists at the Museum Kaap Skil in the Netherlands, where the artifacts’ exclusive collections are on exhibit, the chests contained intriguing objects the likes of which the world had never seen before.
The shipwreck was discovered at a depth of around 1,350 feet (411 meters) and its photographs were acquired using sonar technology. The researchers intend to use an ROV to capture the wreck next year.
The retrieved chests were loaded with cutlery, clothing, textiles, leather book bindings, and other items that appeared to be lost property of people from the highest social levels a few centuries ago.
The most amazing items that emerged from the boxes were opulent gowns, one of which was made of silk and the other of which was interlaced with silver pieces and resembled a wedding gown.
It is rare to find clothing or textiles from the 17th century which makes it more remarkable
Clothing and textiles from the 17th century are rarely preserved today, making this find even more remarkable because the fabric stayed intact even after the disaster.
When I saw the clothing for the first time, I must say, that I actually found it very emotional. Clothing is something so personal. And you’re holding something in your hands that has been worn on someone’s body. How close can you come to someone from the 17th century?” textile restorer Emmy de Groot stated.
The silver garment, which was revealed to the public in November 2022, is now part of an exhibition of artifacts found from the Palmwood Wreck at the Museum Kaap Skil.