Patches in the shape of stars, hearts, half moons, round, even birds were worn on the face and cut out of black taffeta, Spanish leather or gummed paper, these were useful in covering up scars or skin afflictions such as small pox, while the fan also helped to hide the face.
The patches were seen as a symbol of political allegiance – depending on which side of the face a patch was worn, Whigs on the right and Tories on the left. At the court of Louis XV, a patch worn at the corner of the eye indicated passion, the centre of the cheek was gay, the nose was saucy, a patch on the upper lip suggested kisses and the forehead was majestic. A patch worn on a dimple was playful – and a murderess wore her patches on her breast! Often people wore up to fifteen or sixteen patches at once.
