BHS CollectionLong sleeved full length dress of black synthetic silk fabric. Fabric has silken feel with a smooth satin like backing. Front has U shaped neckline with panel of cream silk lace extending from shoulder to below neckline(28cm). Back neckline faced with lace fabric. Front and back have a narrow central panel(16cm) of fabric extending from shoulders to hemline. The panels are extended at the waistline to join the front and back with loose tabs.The centre panel on the front bodice is edged with a finely pleated frill of synthetic fabric. The centre panels at front and back are also edged with finely pleated frills, from 42cms above hemline to the hem. The bodice is completed with side panels attached to the centre panel The skirt is completed with side panels attached to the centre panels. Set in sleeves have a squared extension that extends to the elbow. From the elbow the sleeves taper to narrow fitting at the wrist. The upper seam of the sleeves from the elbow to the wrist are edged with a finely pleated frill of synthetic fabric. The upper seam of each sleeve from elbow to wrist have fifteen decorative back and gold buttons stitched along the lower edge of the frill. Dress is unlinedcostume, female, black synthetic silk dress

Textiles. Large pieces of linen, 119 cm x 96 cm edged with a border, 8.5 cm deep of cotton lace, matching the lace of the bedspread. This lace has a corded effect, outlining 'finger shapes' of floral pattern, alternating with an open chain stitch, looped effect. Like the bedspread, the pillowcase is embroidered with the initials in satin stitch and some cut work embroidery. A smaller rectangle of linen fabric is stitched to the back of the fabric, to hold a pillow in place. Measuring 81 cm. x 48 cm. This envelope is tied with three ties of cotton tape. It could be presumed that these pillow slips would be a decorative feature of the bed linen. As on the bedspread, lavishly embroidered initials may be the initials of Caterina (Ina) Lamaro, who married Giovanni (Jack) Favaloro, or Caterina (Kitty) Lopes, who married Salvatore (Salve) Favaloro.textiles, domestic, two embroidered and lace pillow cases

Textiles. Very fine linen, white in colour - (now a soft cream colour). A spoke-stitched hem stitched to join a decorative panel at the opening end. This panel forms two gracious curves, where the initials C F have been embroidered and decorated with a curvaceous three segment clover leaf. A 10 cm deep crochet frill finishes the curves. The initials C F may be those of Caterina Lamaro who married Giovanni Favaloro, or those of Caterina Lopes who married Salvatore Favaloro. A linen fabric ''envelope'' has been formed by folding the fabric and stitching one side seam. Lace frill has been machine stitched to curved edge.textiles, domestic, pair of embroidered lace pillow cases

Textiles. Very fine linen fabric, white in colour, now a soft cream colour. A spoke-stitched hem joins a curved embroidered and lace trim decorative feature to the set. This panel forms two deep curves, where the initials CF are embroidered, and decorated with small daisy-like flowers and leaves. A 10 cm deep crochet frill is gathered and machine stitched along the curved edge. The initials CF may be the initials of Caterina Lamaro, who married Giovanni Favaloro or those of Caterina Lopes, who married Salvatore Favaloro.textiles, domestic, embroidered lace edged pr of pillowcases

Textiles. Very large cover, with an envelope to enclose the pillow, stitched on the underside, with cotton tape ties to enclose the pillow. Beautiful fine cotton broderie fabric (possibly Swiss cotton broderie anglaise) edges the pillow. Corners of the embroidered cotton have been mitred in an unusual way, with the excess fabric still evident, in a 'kite-shaped' manner, in each corner. The embroidered cotton edging features a scalloped edge, with circular, and floral design. A 6 cm deep hem outlines the linen fabric edge, showing the embroidery fabric to advantage.textiles, domestic, very large linen pillow cover

Textiles. This is a beautiful remnant of fine cream silk fabric, with a 3.5 cm deep band of cotton lace, woven with a floral design, stitched around the lower edge. A triangular shape above the lower edge, is formed by the insertion of a piece of 2 cm wide cotton lace, also with a floral design, folded and machine stitched as an insertion. The same lace is also inserted in a 9.5 cm high "frame" over an embroidered panel 7.5 cm x 6 cm wide and featuring a delicate circular embroidered and cut-work floral design. (Perhaps this remnant of beautiful fabric was cut from the lower edge of a camisole, or a baby's gown).textiles, domestic, piece of silk fabric with lace

Joseph Butterworth COOMBS (1842-1901), was an accountant who founded a successful mercantile trading company. At the time of his marriage to Caroline Mary MICHEL in 1869, Coombs had already purchased ten acres of Studley Park. The acreage included land on the west of Fenwick Street that extended along lower Stawell Street to the corner of Yarra Street, all of it connected directly to the Yarra environs. A right of way to Studley Park Road was on the title, though Coombs went on to purchase more land, some of which faced Studley Park Road. In addition to owning the Studley Park acreage, Coombs later acquired 1,201 acres of land abutting the Acheron River. While retaining the Kew property he became a Taggerty Councillor and was Shire President for a time. J.B. Coombs died at Acheron Station in 1901 (aged 59 years). A few months after, tenders were called to repair the Kew dwelling, the Fenwick Street property now appearing in records with the name ‘Hope Mansell’. Caroline Coombs remained at Hope Mansell until she died in 1924, survived by three sons and five daughters. Not long after her death, advertisements appeared for the sale of the Studley Park land. The sale seems to have been a mechanism for distribution of the Estate, as the following year the original ten acre holding was transferred to members of the family. The eldest daughter Mabel married William Younger who, with his brother Alexander, developed Younger and Mackie Courts, both south of Studley Park Road. [Research: Kerry Fairbank]In 1961, the granddaughter of Joseph and Caroline Coombs, Mabel Isola (Younger) Grattan, donated ten 19th century dresses and parasols to the Kew Historical Society. The costumes, now known as the 'Coombs Collection', were the earliest recorded items of clothing to enter the Society's collection. Each of the items in the Coombs Collection, of which this item forms a part, is historically, aesthetically and socially significant. As a collection, the costumes includes outstanding examples of morning wear, day dresses, wedding dresses, and clothing accessories, providing evidence of outstanding dressmaker skills in Victoria during the mid to late Victorian period. Two-piece white silk wedding dress comprised of a short tailored bodice and a bell shaped skirt. The most prominent feature of the bodice is the wide pagoda sleeves, with false undersleeves of muslin. The edge of the sleeves includes small posies of orange blossom. Separate panels of lace, dropping from the waist are the only form of decoration on the skirt. The round high neckline was later converted to v-line in the 19th century.coombs collection, women's clothing, australian fashion, fashion & design collection, costumes, wedding dresses

Curved blade wooden handle complete with leather and wood scabbard with lace up belt loopCircles around handle

In the early 19th century, infant baptismal gowns were modelled on dresses worn by adult women. Gowns were typically made of fine white linen or cotton, and often trimmed with tucks, lace, whitework embroidery, and other handwork. The Kew Historical Society's collection includes over fifteen christening gowns dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.Long, white cotton christening gown. The high necked, short sleeved bodice has a number of decorative elements. These include two panels of fabric, the lower of which includes pleating, and inserts of lace that extend beyond the waist. Ties extend from the front to the back of the bodice. Lace is also used on the neckline and on the edge of the folded sleeves. The skirt is pleated at the front extending to the hem.christening gowns, ceremonial clothing, children's wear, baptismal clothing, victorian historical themes — 8.6 marking the phases of life