Clothing. Twelve shaped panels form the body of the jacket, which is dramatically ''shaped in'' at the waistline, and flared out toward the hipline. Four black fabric covered buttons form the closure, with hand-stitched button holes, all ''hidden away'' under an overlay of the beaded velvet, of which the jacket is made. The long sleeves, narrow at the elbow, flair out to an embroidered and beaded cuff, 35 cm in circumference. Sleeves are gathered at the shoulderline, giving fullness, and featuring an elaborate ribbon, cord, and beaded embroidery. The embroidery is repeated around the revere collar, and on the right-hand side of the bodice, and the full length of the back of the garment, and around the hemline, and also trims the opening edge of the left-front bodice. Lined with black silk. It feels as if there is extra to support beaded areas.GEORGE STIRLING & SONS, THE RICHMONDcostume, female, black velvet long sleeved jacket

Clothing. Rounded neckline at the back, deeply scooped at front. Back fastens with 12 metal hooks and eyes. Back hemline is slightly shirred to nip in the 67 cm waistline, which is peaked at the cntre front. ''Leg-o-mutton'' type sleeves are gathered at the shoulder, and above the elbow, and finished with an 8 cm band of beading and sequin embroidery and a 4.5 cm black silk frill, and a frill of black lace, with an exquisite fruit and floral woven pattern. The neckline is trimmed with a deep lace and sequined silk overlay. Three velvet ''rosettes'' trim the centre front of the overlay. The silk bodice is shirred from just below the shoulders, to give fullness for the bustline sequins, tiny beads, velvet rosettes, silk chiffon frills.costume, female, black silk boned bodice with lace

Late 1800'sClothing. Squared neckline, long beaded sleeves, finished with a 6 cm ribbon edged frill. Sleeves are beaded in bow motifs, which are repeated on the back and front panels of the bodice. Lower edge has a peak at centre front, and is finished with a 3 cm black velvet band. Bodice is lined with black polished cotton. Front opening is fastened with ten metal hooks and eyes - opening alternately from left to right. A 3 cm wide strong cotton tape is stitched to the centre back of the bodice, passing around the waist, and fastening at centre front with one metal hook and eye. This band is 59 cms long.costume, female, black beaded bodice with long sleeves

Clothing. Beautiful cream, floral, lace - probably linen, 10 cms deep. Each of the four layers of floral lace is overlapping a 3 cm wide, permanently pleated, band of cream silk, which is edged with a narrow 5 mm band of black velvet. The linen lace has a scalloped lower edge alternating five circles .8 cm diameter and four circles 1.2 cm - this edging forms the scalloped effect. Flowing scrolls and leaves fill in between the flowers. Presumably this four frill flounce has been removed from another garment to be recycled.costume, female, four frill layered garment trim

Clothing. Beautiful deep cream silk bodice, fully lined with cream tulle/net. Elbow length sleeves have a semi-circle of embroidered silk, and an embroidered tulle ''flounce'', edged with cream cord - 17 cms long. The bodice has seven pin-tucks, angled from the shoulder to the waistline on each side of the front and back. Between the pin-tucks at centre front panel is an extensive cream silk, floral embroidery. A rounded neckline at front and back, is in-filled with embroidered tulle - small 1 cm diameter flowers, in a 3 cm diameter circle, defined by 12 small (3mm) embroidered circles. The tulle infill extends to a 7 cm high stand-up collar-supported by seven plastic ''bones''. The collar also features the same, circular, floral embroidery, and is also edged at the throat with cream cording. The bodice while in good condition, has been cut at the hemline, and a 10.5 cm strip of fabric has been added but unfinished. 18 metal hooks, and hand-stitched loops fasten the back of the bodice. Sleeves are an extension of the bodice.costume, female, cream silk and tulle bodice

Clothing. High stand-up embroidered net collar-close fitting to the neck, and fastening at the back with now 4 metal hooks and loops (one hook missing) and edged at top and bottom with tiny black beads. Five metal ''curved wires'' 7 cm long, are spaced around the up right ''collar'' (to hold in place). The embroidered net forms a V shaped panel at the centre front, and has 15 silk covered oval buttons .8 cm long, from throat to lower bodice. This panel is bordered by embroidered and beaded braid, 7 cm wide and giving a cross-over effect. Cotton tape inside waist 66 cm long fastens with two metal hooks and eyes.Under this lace cross-over, the bodice is shirred and pleated, to give fullness for movement. Pleats are ''caught-in'' at the waistline. An elbow length over-lay of sheer silk fabric, edged with the beaded braid. The sleeves are silk fabric to the elbow, and then narrow in to a three hook plackett at the wrist. This lower sleeve with a 2.5 cm lace frill, and a spotted tulle fabric, and ''dotted'' at the upper side with a double row of tiny black beads. A false tucked effect at opprox knee level at back of skirt. Back hemline extends to a small ''train''. Hemline is heavily weighted.costume, female, full length long sleeved black dress

Clothing. Curved ''cup-shape'' bodice, unlined, shirred slightly at the centre, and measuring 28 cm deep, from shoulder strap to midriff. A V shaped panel is inserted into the back bodice - 37 cm x 13.5 cm at the top to give a filled effect. Eight covered buttons and loops form the closure at the top of this panel (one button missing). A triangular shape is also sewn into the lower skirt to give flair.costume, female, slim black velvet evening gown

Clothing. Beautiful cream lace in a deep curve (which possibly may have been the front or back) extending over the shoulders, into two long peaks- possibly a deep, V neckline. The lace has diamond shapes, woven in groups of four in a larger diamond shape, and also in a Maltese Cross type grouping. These appear to be ''fillers'' between circular shapes, 6 cm in diameter, of four-petalled flowers''. The outer edge has a scalloped effect, each with a Maltese Cross'' type filler. Possibly Brussells Lace. Two matching silk handkerchief Number 11414.30, No.1 of 6, No.2 of 6.costume accessories, female, lace collar

Clothing. Cream guipure lace collar with floral curvaceous design. A large petalled motif at the centre back (or front) with a peaked effect at the front (or back). Delicate threads and small ''balls'' of cotton thread fill between the larger motifs. This collar is of a quite small size and nay have been worn by a younger adult or teenager.costume accessories, female, cream guipure lace collar

Object. Circular crocheted lace medallions - 16.5 cm in the front, 7 medallions in the back, one of which at the top of the back would possibly fold over the top if required. Eighteen small (1.75 cm) diameter, double petalled floral motifs form the 'handle'. These small double petalled flowers are repeated - in half shape only, around the edge of the purse.costume accessories, female, crocheted purse

Clothing. Fine cream silk in a 8 pointed star shape, in the centre of the handkerchief - 15 cm diameter. Fine silk lace, 10 cm deep, surrounds this centrepiece. Adjoining the star shape is a one cm wide border, surrounded by 1.5 cm flowers, identical to those in the matching collar(11414.26). A Maltese Cross design in each corner brings the piece to a square shape. This joins fine lace in a flower and leaf design, with the Maltese Cross design in each corner, and at centre of each side. Fan-shaped edging surrounds the handkerchief, and a repeat of the needle - woven flowers as in 11414.26.costume accessories, female, silk handkerchief

Clothing. Fine cream silk in a circular shape, 13.5 cms in diameter. Surrounding the silk is a 1.5 cm wide border of silk, four petalled flowers, as in 11414.26 and 11414.30. Then a band of lacework, 8 cms deep is extremely fine silk lace. A lacy looped edging, in one fine silk thread edges the handkerchief.costume accessories, female, silk handkerchief

Clothing. A square of very fine linen, 12 cms diameter, surrounded by a one cm edging of drawn threadwork, and 9.5 cm of fine crochet. Crochet has circular shaped motifs, some very lacy and open, with a band of more closely worked pattern on either side of the open motifs. A looped pattern with picot finish edges the handkerchief.costume accessories, female, linen handkerchief with crochet edge.

Clothing. A square of fine linen fabric, 20 cms square, with a fine crochet edging. The linen fabric has been shaped by the lace edging, as the edging has been hand-stitched, in button - hole stitch, around the linen. The cotton crochet is an open floral design, and is 4 cms deep. This edging gives a scalloped effect to the handkerchief.costume accessories, female, linen and crocheted lace handkerchief

Clothing. Very fine, white linen 12cms by 12 cms square, that has a band of white lace, 9 cm deep hand-stitched around the linen. This has given shape to the linen, as the lace motifs are circular in design, and the linen has been cut away to display the lace pattern.costume accessories, female, white linen and lace handkerchief

Clothing. Deep cream silk centre piece, with scalloped edges - 18 cm x 16 cm. (Scallops 6.5 cm wide). Cream linen bobbin lace - (probably Brussells Lace) surrounds the silk-9cms deep at each corner, 3.5 cms deep at the sides. Fan shapes woven in the lace, emphasize the scalloped centrepiece. Flowers as in 11414.26 and 11414.30a and b, would suggest that this lace has been made by the same maker. Silk centrepiece is damaged, with some splitting of fabric.costume accessories, female, dark cream silk and lace handkerchief

Clothing. Cotton crotched edging 6 cms wide. What appears to be the two armhole edgings - 6 cms wide, are joined by what may have been yoke inserts, or neckline edging. However the width of this panel -38 cms, does seem extremely wide. This joining panel-all crocheted in one piece, has an opening edge at what was possibly the back of the garment, Circular motifs, 2.5 cm in diameter, have plain border on the inner edge, and a more decorative edging, 2.5 cm wide on the outer edge. No evidence of fastenings.costume accessories, female, lace sleeve edging.

Clothing. Cream silk shawl, with elaborate silk floral embroidery at each end, and finished with a 12 cm deep. silk hand-knotted fringe at each end. Edges are hand-rolled and hand- stitched. Single floral embroideries are spaced across the body of the shawl, in rows of three embroideries.costume, female, silk embroidered shawl

Clothing. Waist band 10 cms deep at side seams, dipping to a 16cm peak at centre front, and 15 cm deep at centre back. A plackett on the left hand side fastens with two metal press-studs, and a metal hook (probably a metal or cotton stitched eye, but this area has been damaged, and no eye is visible). Elastic now perished, in casing at lower leg. An 8 cm long dart from the waistband lower edge, on the right hand side seam.costume, female, silk bloomers

Clothing. Black nylon, bracelet length gloves. Two x 1 cm wide panels of lace are in-set just above the wrist, on the upper side of the glove.DENTS ALL NYLON 72 MADE IN HONG KONG. (Label inside left glove).costume accessories, female, ladies black nylon gloves

Clothing. All-over beading means that this is quite a heavy little bag. Rectangular in shape with rounded corners on the bottom, and diagonally cut at the top corners, the bag has a zipper closure, a small 5 cm long beaded loop attaches to the zipper for ease of opening and closing. Lined with cream satin, there is an 11 cm long pocket in one side, containing a small mirror (7.5 x 5 cms). A small piece of confetti may indicate that this bag was used at Aileen and John's marriage. Beads cover the entire bag - on the front they are sewn in a swirling looped and floral design.costume accessories, female, pearl beaded clutch bag

Clothing. Full length black silk-satin skirt, with a 4-pleat cummerbund waist sash - 10 cms deep. Two x 10 cm wide ''falls'' of satin, angled at the lower edge fall from the plackett left side, and are 51 cm long and 63 cm long at their peak. Two panels of the skirt fabric, 81 cm long and 23 cm wide are attached from the waistline at the centre front and centre back. Each panel has a beaded floral motif, 13 cmx 9.5 cm beaded with jet beads.costume, female, black silk skirt with beaded trim

Clothing. Black, crushed velvet cape with a slightly peaked turn back collar, featuring a 6 cm wide ruched panel at each side front collar. Two circular diamente buttons 2.50 cm diameter fasten the front of the circular 15 cm deep yoke. Two bound button holes fasten the buttons at the throat.costume, female, 3/4 length black velvet evening cape

Clothing. Extremely fine linen petticoat, rounded neckline with a blue satin ribbon insertion, threaded through a lace insertion. This ribbon is now badly aged and shedding and splitting. A plackett at the centre back conceals six tiny 9mm covered buttons, and machine (?) stitched button holes. The neckline is outlined with three bands of cotton lace - the first band is 4.5 cm wide, and has a 'shamrock' leaf design. The middle band is 1.5 cm wide, and has a 'twisted' design, which holds the blue ribbon insertion. The outer row is 2.5 cm wide and has a scalloped edging.costume, female, lace trimmed fine linen petticoat

Clothing. Silk-satin brocade cape with 7 cm high stand-up collar. Rounded at the hipline, and curved upward toward the centre fronts, where two 6 cm wide cream ribbon bows are attached. The hemline then falls to a steep 16 cm deep peak at the centre fronts. Four metal hooks and stitch covered metal eyelets form the closure from the high collar to the bustline. Two silk fabric loops on the inside of the opening-19 cms long, and 6.5 cm wide allow the arms to be free, and the cape to remain firmly fitted. The cape is padded and stitched internally in a diamond-shaped pattern. The back of the cape is curved and fitted at the waistline and the centre back. A large satin bow is attached 12 cm above the hemline, and sits over two box pleats 12 cm long, from waistline to the hemline.costume, female, silk cream brocade short cape

Clothing. Cream polished cotton, full length half slip petticoat. Plackett at the back, fastens with two metal hooks, and hand-stitched loops. The back features a 'crinolette', where two rows of tapes are gathered in to give volume to the back of the garment. As the crinoline started to subside at the end of the 1860's. The centre front panel features 6 angled bands of lace 4.5 cm wide and angled to form a V shape. (1) A 9.5 cm band of pleated linen gauze-like fabric, edged with a 5 cm band of linen lace. (2) A 15 cm double layered frill-top layer 2 cm wide silk like pleats, lined with linen muslin type fabric, and an under frill of polished cotton, pleated in one cm wide knife pleats. The top frill is of fine cream cotton lace. At the top edge is a 3.5 cm wide band of floral cotton lace, and adjoined at the lower edge with a 9 cm deep pleated trim of exquisite cotton "floral and swirls" lace. The top frill is 42 cm wide, and extends over the centre front panel only. A cotton covered " stiffening- possibly bamboo or whale bone, extends 31.5 cm ;long at the crinolette. An unusual 'pocket like bag' is sewn into the right side seam 14 cm below the waist. This has rounded corners, and is 8 cm wide at the top, 17.5 cm wide at the lower edge, which is then rounded slightly. Overall length of the 'pocket' is 38 cms.costume, female, crinolette full length half slip

Clothing. Elbow length, fine cream coloured kid leather gloves. Top edge is curved and is not hemmed. A plackett at the wrist is finely bound in the leather, and is 11.5 cm long. It fastens with three tiny 8 mm diameter pearl shell buttons, and bound button holes. The gloves are machine stitched, and it would appear that the long full-length side seam has been placed side by side, and then 'overlocked'. Three rows of angled stitching fans out over the back of the hand.costume accessories, female, kid leather gloves

Clothing. Light grey kid leather gloves, with a sueded 'chamois like' finish feel. A 12 cm long plackett at the wrist, fastens with three .7 mm, rounded pearl buttons. Six rows of fine machine stitching fan out across the back of the hand, giving the effect of three pin tucks. Top edge of the gloves is gently curved.costume accessories, female, light grey kid leather gloves

Clothing. Light silver grey with a 10 cm long plackett at the wrist, fastened with three domed cream coloured bakelite buttons- 6 mm diameter. Six rows of fine machine stitching, giving the effect of three pintucks, fan out across the back of the hand.The top edge of the gloves is slightly curved.61/4 WASHABLE GLOVE- GRENOBLE.Made in France 3062 (on upper side) 1629costume accessories, female, light grey kid leather gloves

Clothing. Black kid leather gloves, brushed to give a "chamois" feel. Twelve rows of machine stitching on the back of the hand fan out to give a pintucked effect.costume accessories, female, black elbow length kid leather gloves