Made by a Palestinian woman living in Palestine. The embroidery on the garment has interesting regional features.Black fabric (satin ?) with bands of floral cross stitch in burnt orange, divded by narrower lines of green. There are 2 birds (1 each side), which also appear on similar garment fragment No. 834. 2 smaller birds at centre front.embroidery, cross stitch, garments, middle east

Purchased by donor for 2/- at a jumble sale. (2 shillings in 1960 or about 20c in decimal currency, in 2026 about $3.70).Fine Ayrshire Embroidery. Robe is typical Ayrshire with triangular bodice and "wings" on skirt.embroidery, embroidery- garments, embroidery- mid 19th century, embroidery - ayrshire, embroidery - whitework

Probably Middle Eastern. The set consists of 2 cuffs, a front and a neckband, probably for a garment like a caftan, worked on pale grey fabric. The fabric is completely covered with metallic thread in an abstract design. The pieces are mounted on a board.embroidery, garments, middle east, metal thread

The design of strawberries appeared in the magazine The English Womens Journal - in the 1950's, and is an example of the 'new look'. Petticoat was made by donor's mother between 1910-20.Copy of a Christian Dior dress, embroidered by the donor. Robia voile with strawberries and strawberry flowers dotted all over dress. Short sleeves, and stitched tie belt. Detachable plain white collar. Cotton half petticoat with a deep organdie embroidered frill.embroidery, garments, surface stitchery, australia, 1940-60

Petticoat was made by donor's mother between 1910-20.Cotton half petticoat with a deep organdie embroidered frill.embroidery, garments, surface stitchery, australia, 1940-60

Donor purchased the slip from George on Collins St., It could have been made in Georges work room or in Madeira.Half slip in cream silk, with Madeira work round the hem with a design of sprays of flowers, applique part is in silk satin.embroidery, garments, 1920-40, madeira

Used at a number of christenings over two generations.Cream silk crepe de chine with a Peter Pan collar. Front edges and hem are scalloped with a fine crochet edge. Front and hem edges are decorated in cream silk embroidery. Ribbon ties have been replaced.embroidery, garments, surface stitchery, 1920-40, australia

Purchased in Melbourne (probably from Georges) in 1962.Pale pink dacron dress with a fine self stripe. It has a white Peter Pan collar and is decorated with coloured embroidery and applique. The sleeves are interesting as they allow for growth of the child.OREM 100% dacron. Baby wear, Handmade in Madeira - Portugal Size 16embroidery, garments - childs, 1960-80, madeira, madeira work

Waistcoat was never made up. The donor says it belonged to a great uncle in the early 1800's. The waistcoat was cut apart to make a firescreen for her mother, and these pieces were left over.Heavy cream ribbon silk with garlands of flowers embroidered in coloured silks. a. part of front b. pocket flap c. straight strip d. scrap with 3 circles (buttons) e. scrap with 9 button circles "A" has transfer feather design on one edge.embroidery, garments, silk embroidery, early 1800's, european

The cape belonged to Eleanor Graham, born 1891, who came to Australia as a young married woman. She lieved in Croydon until her death, aged 85, in 1976. She was Donors adopted aunt.Carrying cape in machine made white work. Cape is double and each layer edged with a frill. Collar also has a frill.embroidery, garments, white work, machine, england, 1900

Note: Virginia Mort feels that costume is from Rajastan or Gujerat. Definitely from West India.Blouse Cream pongee silk in Chinese style with long wide sleeves trimmed with tatting and mother of pearl sequins.embroidery, garments, tambour work, 1840-60, burma, skirt, blouse (part of wedding costume)

Note: Virginia Mort feels that costume is from Rajastan or Gujerat. Definitely from West India.Panels probably part of jacket, floral motifs and birds, satin is red and purple.embroidery, garments, tambour work, 1840-60, burma, skirt, blouse (part of wedding costume)

Note: Virginia Mort feels that costume is from Rajastan or Gujerat. Definitely from West India.Red cotton (not a match to panels) chain stitch and shisha work, flowers and birds.embroidery, garments, tambour work, 1840-60, burma, skirt, blouse (part of wedding costume)

Cream muslin, Chikankari embroidery (Lucknow) motifs in traditional stitchery. The butterflies are in a type of embroidery known as Jali.embroidery, garments, sari, india, early 20th century

Very fine white cotton, late Ayrshire with eyelets and lace fillings. Buttonholed, scolloped edges. Two cuffs with cotton binding, collar with linen bindings.embroidery, garments, late 19th century, scotland, ayrshire

Exhibited April 1996 Archival Exhibition. Exhibited Old Treasury February 1997.Whitework on muslin. Cutwork design of leaves and flowers.embroidery, garments, whitework, cutwork, garments, 1900-20

Brought from England by Lady Hamilton Fairley.Pink cotton with fine white double strip. Embroidered in white. Hem and bib faced in white. Simple design of fish and seaweed.? sewing sampler.embroidery, garments, 1940-60, england

In Chinese embroidery, the crane (He, 鹤) is a powerful symbol of longevity, wisdom, immortality, and good fortune, often depicted with other auspicious motifs like peaches, pine, or bamboo to enhance these meanings, and historically used on civil officials' rank badges (buzi) to denote high rank and virtue, reflecting aspirations for a long, prosperous, and wise life, linked to Daoist immortals and heavenly ascent. Black satin with rich silk embroidery around the hem, which means it may have been made for a lady of high rank. Circular motifs of cranes and storks. Probably made for a pregnancy. Bright blue lining.embroidery, silk embroidery, garments, china, oriental

Note: Virginia Mort feels that costume is from Rajasthan or Gujarat. Definitely from West India.Skirt of bright red satin with motifs of flowers and birds, and several borders at the base of skirt.embroidery, garments, tambour work, 1840-60, burma, skirt, blouse (part of wedding costume)

Used in theatricals of the period, and originally part of a blouse. "Doc" Rowe and his wife "Mora" were Australian entertainers who performed worldwide, including the Far East, during 1910-1930. The embroidered costumes were purchased in China and used in their performances in Australia and overseas.Red silk with white twisted silk embroidery of a garden and pagodas and 2 men with swords and pitchfork, and a floral border at base. embroidery, garments, silk embroidery, china, 1920-40, oriental

Made by Mrs Jessie Isabella McFarlane of North Melbourne, who came to Australia at the age of 9 in 1852 (nee Robertson). for her eldest daughter Alice in the early 1870's.White cotton dress with V shaped bodice decorated with broderie Anglais, skirt with scalloped edge almost entirely embroidered. Cape has broderie collar and front edge, a band of Broderie, a band of gathering and a band of ruching, finished with a Broderie edge which is scalloped.embroidery, garments - childs, broderie anglais, australia, 1900-20

White fine linen embroidered by hand, with shamrocks. Satin stitch and stem stitch. There is a wide tuck above the hemline, and an opening at centre back waistline with a tape tie. May have been part of a dress.embroidery, garments, whitework, ireland, 1900-20

Worked and designed by Mrs L.R. Ross, this dress was given for sale at the Christmas boutique but decided to keep it for addition to the Collection. Won first prize in the section at the 1972 Melbourne Show.Made of very fine blue cotton, delicately embroidered with matching smocking. Puff sleeves and simple collar decorated with great care. This is a beautifully made garment.embroidery, garments, childrens, 1960-80, australia, smocking

Red silk embroidered with a butterfly on the front, and edged with a blue band. 3 small designs on base of shoes.embroidery, silk embroidery, garments - childrens, late 19th century, china

Based on traditional smock construction and design, made of satin jean, an Irish made cotton fabric, as is the red embroidery, a colour found rarely on smocks not of Irish origin.embroidery, garments - childrens, smocking, late 19th century, ireland

Made in Australia by Mrs Bostock for her son, approx. 1899. For a child 5-6 years (son, brother of donor)Based on smock shape and made of natural coloured linen with red smocking on the bodice and top and bottom of thelong sleeves. The collar of two squares has a red chain stitch design round the edge. Two buttons at collar at front. Double buttons on reverse with loops.embroidery, garments, late 19th century, australia, smocking, childrens

Embroidered by Miss Edith Doyle and made up by Vice Regal Tailors, Thelwell, Collins St. Melbourne, for Mr Hugh Murcott of the Government House staff, Melbourne. The waistcoat was given to the donor by his daughter.Design of pattern darning in gold and bright blue on white huckaback fabric. The waist coat is outlined with brown piping, and has 6 buttons on shanks - bottom one a replacement.embroidery, garments, 1900-20, australia, darning

Purchased by the donor from a Chinese family on a rubber estate in Malacca for 3 pound in 1922. The country was suffering a deep depression owing to a slump in rubber and many wealthy Chinese were in serious financial difficulties and were realising on anything they could. When the coat was on show at an exhibition the donor was told by someone who had lived in China for many years that it was a very fine example and was possibly 200-300 years old (identified by the cut and fastening of the front panel). The golden pheasants embroidered on the back indicated it came from a Southern state and from a family of high degree. Some years later it was dated as 17th century. Classical style of garment, very long-sleeved in red silk with coloured embroidery. The symbols belong to a high ranking official, symbols of two white doves embroidered on the back, and also the long sleeves with their decorative embroidered bands of turquoise, blue, pink and yellow. The front of the garment overlaps the right side with five small decorative buttons fastened with loops. The buttons were gold and because of their value they were replaced with identical brass buttons. Motifs include phoenix, butterflies, birds, pomegranate, flowers and auspicious symbols. Predominate stitch used is Pekinese Knot Stitch with couched gold outlines of the motifs. The birds and butterflies are worked in satin and long and short stitch. embroidery, garments, china, silk embroidery, oriental, 17th century

Cream winter cotton fabric with 8 cm deep bands of smocking on front and back. The collar is edged with feather stitching and lace. The sleeves have a narrow band of smocking and a buttonholed edge. A band of shamrocks decorates the hem.embroidery, garments, childrens, late 19th century, smocking, ireland

Fine silk night dress in a heavy cream, decorated at neck and hem with matching applied net and embroidery.embroidery, garments, surface stitchery, 1920-40, australia