Showing 20 items
matching queen victoria mourning
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Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Letter from the Department of Mines and Water Supply, 1901, 28/02/1901
... queen victoria mourning... mourning for Queen Victoria. ... school of mines mourning letterhead queen victoria mourning ...Foolscap handwritten letter with black edge marking mourning for Queen Victoria. Department of Mines & Water Supply Melbourne 28th Feb. 1901 Sir, I have the honor to forward herewith duplicate copies of conrtact forms re contract G.M. IV - one copy together with the specifications to be signed and returned to this office. The drawing underneat separate cove is also to be signed by the contractor and then sent back to me. I have the honor ro be, Sir, Your most obedt Servant. P. Cohen for Secretary for Mines and Water Supplydepartme of mines and water supply, p. cohen, contract, ballarat school of mines, mourning, letterhead, queen victoria mourning -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter - Correspondence, Government of Victoria, Department of Education, Education Department Correspondence,1901, 1901
... queen victoria mourning... mourning for Queen Victoria. .1) A letter from the Secretary... inspectors reports queen victoria mourning mounrning stationary art ...Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901. Mourning stationery for letters, both writing paper and envelopes, was printed with black borders, of varying depths, as a token of bereavement. Black sealing wax, black leather blotters, and jet paperknives were also sometimes used. Two foolscap letters, one with a black edging signifying mourning for Queen Victoria. .1) A letter from the Secretary of the Education Department Melbourn to the Ballarat School of Mines No 10. It is a covering letter for the Art and Science Inspectors' reports. .2) The Science Inspector's report on the Ballarat School of Mines, with the Art Inspector's report at the lower section of the page. victorian education department, ballarat school of mines, inspectors reports, queen victoria mourning, mounrning stationary, art inspector's report, science inspector's report, freehand drawing -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Artefact, Textile: Beaded mourning collar, Circa late 19th century
Black has for centuries been associated with mourning but it rose to new heights during the Victorian times with Queen Victoria wearing black from the time of her husband’s death in 1861 until her death in 1901. There were different stages of mourning from the severe plain black clothing of the first period to items of decoration or adornment such as this collar with other items such as brooches, hair and dress adornments which were used at the later stages of mourning. This second stage often went for extended periods especially for widows who often remained in mourning until or if they remarried. Other colours such as dark greys and purples were also acceptable as mourning clothes. Such was the practice in England that jet from Whitby was used extensively by the more well to do. Later on black glass was used which was cheaper.An item which relates to customs which were prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuryBlack beaded collar with seven lengths of beads coming from a section which joins at the back with a hook and eye. The seed beads are stitched to a dark cotton backing. The neckline is square. It also has a number of larger flatter beads across the yoke and down the centre of each of the seven lengths of beads.warrnambool, mourning collar, black beaded mourning collar, beaded mourning collar, -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Education Department to the Ballarat School of Mines, 18/09/1901
... the mourning period for Queen Victoria. The letter refers to Ballarat... for Queen Victoria. The letter refers to Ballarat School of Mines ...Foolscap letter on Victorian Education Department letterhead. It is bordered in black as it was sent during the mourning period for Queen Victoria. The letter refers to Ballarat School of Mines student in Theoretical Chemistry, Victor Nichol.victor nichol, mourning, chemistry, ballarat school of mines -
Orbost & District Historical Society
choker
... mourning jewellery. When Queen Victoria declared that her court... jewellery. When Queen Victoria declared that her court wear ...Jet came into common usage in the 19th century when a small town in England, Whitby, began mining jet to make mourning jewellery. When Queen Victoria declared that her court wear mourning attire for the three years after the death of Albert,and that only jet jewelry was to be worn at court for the first year jet jewellery was widely worn. In the Victorian era, there was a wide variety of materials used to mimic Whitby Jet for mourning jewelry. This item is an example of typical mourning style jewelry which became popular as a universal form of adornmentA black jet bead choker with fasteners at the ends.jewellery choker jet -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter - Correspondence, Education Department Correspondence on 'mourning' letterhead, 1901, 18/07/1901
Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901. Mourning stationery for letters, both writing paper and envelopes, was printed with black borders, of varying depths, as a token of bereavement. Black sealing wax, black leather blotters, and jet paperknives were also sometimes used. Foolscap letters on Education Department Melbourne letterhead, relating to Harold Leckie, J. Brangan and William J. Lakeland.victorian education department, ballarat school of mines, theoretical chemistry, metallurgy, harold leckie, joseph j. brangan, willaim j. lakeland -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter - Correspondence, Education Department Correspondence letterhead, 1901, 24/06/1901
... letterhead, with a black edging signifying mourning for Queen... signifying mourning for Queen Victoria. The correspondence concerns ...Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901. Mourning stationery for letters, both writing paper and envelopes, was printed with black borders, of varying depths, as a token of bereavement. Black sealing wax, black leather blotters, and jet paperknives were also sometimes used. Foolscap letter on Education Department Melbourne letterhead, with a black edging signifying mourning for Queen Victoria. The correspondence concerns Ballarat School of Mines leading Teacher T.S. Hart and the Technical Schools Conference. victorian education department, ballarat school of mines, technical schools conference, t.s. hart, thomas hart -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter - Correspondence, Education Department Melbourne to Ballarat School of Mines, 1901, 13/08/1901
... schools mourning queen victoria Typed correspondence ...Typed correspondence to the Registrar of the Ballarat School of Mines on foolscap paper lined in black, a mark of respect following the death of Queen Victoria. education department, victoria, ballarat school of mines, science schools, mourning, queen victoria -
Federation University Historical Collection
Envelope, Mourning Envelope, c1901
... It is thought this envelope was used at the time of Queen Victoria's ...It is thought this envelope was used at the time of Queen Victoria's death A small envelope with black trim signifiying mourning.mourning -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, Lady's black beaded dress, c1900
During the reign of Queen Victoria, whose long and conspicuous grief over the death of her husband, Prince Albert, appropriate dress for men and women for the period of mourning was strictly prescribed and rigidly adhered to. Widows were expected to wear special clothes to indicate that they were in mourning for up to four years after the death, although a widow could choose to wear such attire for the rest of her life. To change the costume earlier was considered disrespectful to the deceased and, if the widow was still young and attractive, suggestive of potential sexual promiscuity. Those subject to the rules were slowly allowed to re-introduce conventional clothing at specific time periods; such stages were known by such terms as "full mourning", "half mourning", and similar descriptions. For half mourning, muted colours such as lilac, grey and lavender could be introduced.. Special caps and bonnets, usually in black or other dark colours, went with these ensembles. There was special mourning jewellery, often made of jet. By the late 20th century, this no longer applied, and black had been widely adopted by women in cities as a fashionable colour. A lady's full length black fine wool dress with pleated bodice and skirt. A beaded detachable collar sits over the dress forming a V shape back and front and is attached by hooks and eyes on right shoulder . Centre front from neck to point is a row of small black circular sequins. clothing, dressmaking, craftwork, cheltenham, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Documents, condolence letter 1903, 1903
A Letter of condolence sent to Lily (Elizabeth Ann Jones) for the death of her Mother, Mary Ann Jones, who died on 18 January 1903, from her school friend Jane Clark. Following Queen Victoria’s example, it became customary for families to go through elaborate rituals to commemorate their dead. This included wearing mourning clothes, having a lavish (and expensive) funeral, curtailing social behaviour for a set period of time, and erecting an ornate monument on the grave. . Relatives and friends were expected to give handwritten Condolence Cards and Letters, preferably by hand when visiting the bereaved. The different periods of mourning dictated by society were expected to reflect the natural period of grief. In recent years some traditions have given way to less strict practices, though many customs and traditions continue to be followed. Condolence Cards and Letters are still expected for relatives and close friends. These can be individually composed and handwritten or purchased from a Greeting Card Manufacturer. The letter shows Tucker Road as being in East Brighton. Due to the confusion caused by so many 'Brightons' in the area of Henry Dendy's Special Survey of 1841 this area was renamed Bentleigh after Sir Thomas Bent. The Clark family and the Jones family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireWhite paper with a black border used for a hand written condolence letter sent by Mrs Jane Clark in 1903 during the mourning period for the mother of her school-friend Lily, (Elizabeth Ann Jones).market gardners, pioneers, early settlers, mooorabbin, brighton, east brighton, bentleigh, correspondence, writing equipment, pen and ink, clarke jane, clarke janet, mourning customs, bereavement, condolence letters, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Jewellery, jet necklace, c1880
... jewellery, mourning wear, jet stone, queen victoria fashion... jewellery, mourning wear, jet stone, queen victoria fashion, early ...Jet became popular in the Victorian era for mourning jewellery, which became fashionable after the death of Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert in 1861. Jet is a dense black fossilized wood, almost like coal, and very light in weight. It is easy to cut, so carved well. It became popular in the Victorian era for mourning jewellery, which became fashionable.This jet necklace is typical of the mourning jewellery worn by early settler women in Moorabbin Shire c1900A continuous circular, long, black necklace with small jet beads.Nonejewellery, mourning wear, jet stone, queen victoria fashion, early settlers, pioneers, black clothing, moorabbin mirror, bader fran, rietman august, rennick stefanie, resin jewellery, -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Accessory - Locket
This locket is from the museum's collection of objects relating to Wilfred Clarence Busse. Busse was born in Chiltern in 1898, completed his secondary education as Wesley College in the early twentieth century, and went on to study law at the University of Melbourne. As a lawyer, he spent time in the room of Supreme Court Judge Bernard Cussen (1859-1933). Judge Cussen was popular, known for being just and precise and for completing through statutory consolidation in his spare time. As well as working as a lawyer, Busse wrote historical fiction inspired by his life in Chiltern, these included The Blue Beyond; A Romance of the Early Days in South Eastern Australia" and "The Golden Plague: A Romance of the Early Fifties," which won the T.E.Role gold medal for the best historical novel in 1930 and went on to become a best seller. He was a member of the Chiltern Athenaeum until his death in 1960. The placing of hair in lockets was a common 19th and early 20th century, with Queen Victoria wearing a locket containing a piece of Albert’s hair after his death in 1861. Wearing a loved one’s hair or giving a lock of your hair to someone for wearing, could be a gesture of love and friendship, or of mourning. The tangibility and personal nature of hair made it a common keepsake, especially in cases of high mortality or where family members were separated by oceans without the possibility of air travel. The intention and origin of this locket is currently unknown, but it is likely it was a keepsake of love or mourning, either way, a emotional object. This object artistically significant as an example of late 19th/early 20th century jewellery, and social and spiritual sigifiicance as locket containing a piece of hair, which, regardless of exact intention, imbues it with a strong emotional aura. A small dark metal locket with a decorative leaf pattern on the exterior. The locket contains a small amount of reddish hair, supposedly from a loved one or family member of the original owner, and a degraded image that may have ocne represented a person. busse, w.c. busse, wilfred clarence busse, chiltern, chiltern athenaeum, "the blue beyond, a romance of the early days in south eastern australia”, "the golden plague: a romance of the early fifties.", "the golden plague”, wesley college, university of melbourne, sir leo finn bernard cussen, supreme court of victoria, locket, hair locket, hair jewellery, jewellery -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), B/W Photo Interior Kyneton Congregational Church, Malmsbury 1910
... - Congregational Church Associated with - Mourning For Queen Victoria... - Congregational Church Associated with - Mourning For Queen Victoria B/W ...People - "Queen Victoria, Watson, M" Buildings - Congregational Church Associated with - Mourning For Queen Victoria -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Accessory - Medallion, c1890
Jet Cameo. c1890. Jet jewellery originated from the English town of Whitby where it was mined. There were many Jet workrooms and thousands of jet pieces were worn by ladies copying Queen Victoria who made the Jet fashionable bt wearing it during her long years of mourning for her husband Albert.Square medallion with rope like edge and a female head embossed on it.costume accessories, female -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Chauvel and Price
This photograph was probably taken at the opening of the Federal Parliament in Melbourne.Not an original photograph but of interest because it shows together two 'towering' figures in Australian Light Horse history.Black and white photograph of two officers seated being Lieutenant Colonel Harry Chauvel (left) and Colonel Tom Price, May 1901. Chauvel is in light Horse uniform and Price in Victorian Mounted Rifles uniform. Both are wearing mourning bands on their sleeve, possibly mourning the recent death of Queen Victoria (22 January 1901). The photograph is laminated and is possibly an image cut from a publication. chauvel, price, light horse, vmr, melbourne, federation, uniform -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Day dress, circa 1870
The donor and family of this gown were long-term Brighton residents, and the gowns were held by them as family heirlooms prior to donation to Brighton Historical Society. Originally owned by Elizabeth Emma Adams and Cecilia Elizabeth Adams, it is believed that the dress was brought to Australia by either a half brother, James Smith Adams, or a younger sister, Sophia Charlotte Louisa Adams (later known as Mother Rose Columba Adams). Elizabeth and Cecilia were the daughters of James Smith Adams (a squire, 1780-1860) and Elizabeth Emma McTaggart (1793-1843) of Tower House, Woodchester in Gloucester, a property which Elizabeth later inherited. Originally a monastery, Tower House had been converted into a stately home after the Reformation. According to information originally provided by the donor, both this dress and the dress T0004.3 were made for Elizabeth and Cecilia, to be worn at the young Queen Victoria’s first 'drawing room ball' following the end of court mourning in 1838 for her uncle William IV who died in 1837. In 1838 Cecilia would have been twelve years old and Elizabeth would have been ten years old. It is possible that the dress T0004.3 was worn by one of the girls to this event as it is of appropriate dimensions for a child of that age, although its design is very formal and adult. However, it is unlikely that either of the girls wore this dress at the ball due to the size and styling of the dress. It is likely that the dress belonged to one of the girls, but was worn at a later date. Elizabeth was born on 30 June 1828 at Tower House and died on 1 May 1909. She created a scandal when she eloped with her first husband, Thomas Charles Gardiner at the age of 18. The validity of the marriage was later formally investigate and, while it was confirmed as valid, a second church wedding was subsequently held. Thomas died in 1878. Elizabeth subsequently remarried Reverend R. E. Blackwell, but was widowed again by 1889. Cecilia was born on 17 December 1826 and died in 1902 a spinster recluse in England. At the inquest into Cecelia's death in 1904 it was revealed that she had clearly come from a family of means as her home was filled to the brim with highly valuable goods, many in boxes. She was buried in the family vault at Woodchester. Elizabeth and Cecilia's sister Sophia converted to Roman Catholicism in 1851 and became a nun, taking the religious name 'Rose Columba'. In 1883 Mother Rose Columba led a group of eight to Australia, answering a call for Dominican sisters to nurse the sick in Adelaide. Upon arrival, she founded St. Dominic's Priory and the Church of Perpetual Adoration in North Adelaide, using her inheritance to build the chapel. Elizabeth's second son, George Henry Somerset, who inherited the Adams family estate dropped the 'i' in Gardiner and added the maiden name of his grandmother. Therefore, the family name has now become Gardner McTaggart. These Adams family entries have been updated with information provided by Dr Herbert Gardner McTaggart, great-grandson of George Henry Somerset in April 2016. Mr McTaggart contacted the society after finding our entries online.A hand sewn white purple, pink, green, blue and yellow floral silk chiffon dress from circa 1870. The dress consists of two pieces worn together as a dress. This dress has received a great deal of mending and alteration and so it is difficult to be sure of what constitutes its original state. The following description is of its current state. The bodice has a high neck with a simple shallow band collar, an olive braid and a press stud closure. The bodice fastens down the centre front with ten hook and eyes closures and two sets of ribbon ties . The bodice has three darts providing shaping into the waistline. The bodice finishes at the waist and gently tapers towards the front creating a 'V' line. Down the centre front from the neck to the waist concealing the bodice opening is a pressed pleated ruffle of the dress fabric and a line of olive braid. The dress features pagoda sleeves finished at the hem with pressed pleated ruffle of the dress fabric, a line of olive braid and a silk fringe of 4 cm pale pink and white. The skirt part of the bodice section attaches to the front of the dress with two hooks and eyes on the left hand side of the waist. The fabric drops down to approximately the knees at the front, curving up and splitting on either side over the hip. The edge of this piece is also trimmed with a pressed pleated ruffle of the dress fabric and a line of olive braid. Just below the hip on either side is a large bow of pink, cream, purple and green taffeta. The bodice at the back is shaped with four panels into the waistline. Where it joins the bodice skirt the skirt is pleated, creating fullness. The skirt of the dress ensemble secures at the waist on the left hand side. At the front it has two pleats (that may have been repositioned during repair), and is fully gathered at the back. At the front the dress falls to the floor whilst at the back it is longer to accommodate the bustle and possibly a small train.cecilia elizabeth adams, elizabeth emma adams, 1870s fashion, tower house, woodchester, james smith adams, elizabeth emma mctaggart, mary rose columba adams, sophia charlotte louisa adams -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Evening dress, circa 1890 (bodice), circa 1840 (skirt)
The donor and family of this gown were long-term Brighton residents, and the gowns were held by them as family heirlooms prior to donation to Brighton Historical Society. Originally owned by Elizabeth Emma Adams and Cecilia Elizabeth Adams, it is believed that the dress was brought to Australia by either a half brother, James Smith Adams, or a younger sister, Sophia Charlotte Louisa Adams (later known as Mother Rose Columba Adams). Elizabeth and Cecilia were the daughters of James Smith Adams (a squire, 1780-1860) and Elizabeth Emma McTaggart (1793-1843) of Tower House, Woodchester in Gloucester, a property which Elizabeth later inherited. Originally a monastery, Tower House had been converted into a stately home after the Reformation. According to information originally provided by the donor, the skirt portion of this dress (along with the bodice T0004.3) was made for either Elizabeth or Cecilia to be worn at the young Queen Victoria’s first 'drawing room ball' following the end of court mourning in 1838 for her uncle William IV who died in 1837. In 1838 Cecilia would have been twelve years old and Elizabeth would have been ten years old. It is possible that this dress was worn by one of the girls to this event as it is of appropriate dimensions for a child of that age, although its design is very formal and adult. Elizabeth was born on 30 June 1828 at Tower House and died on 1 May 1909. She created a scandal when she eloped with her first husband, Thomas Charles Gardiner at the age of 18. The validity of the marriage was later formally investigate and, while it was confirmed as valid, a second church wedding was subsequently held. Thomas died in 1878. Elizabeth subsequently remarried Reverend R. E. Blackwell, but was widowed again by 1889. Cecilia was born on 17 December 1826 and died in 1902 a spinster recluse in England. At the inquest into Cecelia's death in 1904 it was revealed that she had clearly come from a family of means as her home was filled to the brim with highly valuable goods, many in boxes. She was buried in the family vault at Woodchester. Elizabeth and Cecilia's sister Sophia converted to Roman Catholicism in 1851 and became a nun, taking the religious name 'Rose Columba'. In 1883 Mother Rose Columba led a group of eight to Australia, answering a call for Dominican sisters to nurse the sick in Adelaide. Upon arrival, she founded St. Dominic's Priory and the Church of Perpetual Adoration in North Adelaide, using her inheritance to build the chapel. Elizabeth's second son, George Henry Somerset, who inherited the Adams family estate dropped the 'i' in Gardiner and added the maiden name of his grandmother. Therefore, the family name has now become Gardner McTaggart. These Adams family entries have been updated with information provided by Dr Herbert Gardner McTaggart, great-grandson of George Henry Somerset in April 2016. Mr McTaggart contacted the society after finding our entries online.A hand and machine sewn cream, pale blue, orange and gold embroidered satin formal dress, the bodice dates from circa 1890. This dress shares a skirt with T0004.3, which dates from circa 1840. The bodice features a high scoop neckline with gathers at the base of the scoop and directly below where the bodice finishes creating fullness over the bust. The bodice front encloses the bust with a right panel over the top of a left panel and securing with two hook and eye closures over the left shoulder. The panels are secured together with 15 hook and eye closures. The sleeves are set neatly on the true shoulder and are elongated full puffs to just above the elbow. The fullness is created by nine pleats from the top of the shoulder over the back of the shoulder. At the base of the sleeve the fullness is gathered just above the elbow. At the centre back of the bodice are four inward facing pleats running from the centre neck to the waist. The bodice is secured around the waist with a tape and four hook and eye closures. The bodice is boned around the sides and back of the torso with eight bones. This bodice is finished at the waist with a pleated cummerbund of the dress fabric that is designed to appear to be a sash with two decorative bows. One front left of centre and one back right of centre. The skirt secures at the waist with an opening to the left of centre at the back. The skirt gathers tightly at the centre back with a dart on either side. The skirt has a front central panel and the skirt falls to floor length. At the back, the skirt is also floor length. The back of the skirt may have been modified at some time and may have originally finished in a train. It would be more appropriate to the period of the bodice, and the believed use of the dress with a train.cecilia elizabeth adams, elizabeth emma adams, queen victoria, tower house, woodchester, james smith adams, elizabeth emma mctaggart, sophia charlotte louisa adams, 1890s fashion -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Evening dress, circa 1840
The donor and family of this gown were long-term Brighton residents, and the gowns were held by them as family heirlooms prior to donation to Brighton Historical Society. Originally owned by Elizabeth Emma Adams and Cecilia Elizabeth Adams, it is believed that the dress was brought to Australia by either a half brother, James Smith Adams, or a younger sister, Sophia Charlotte Louisa Adams (later known as Mother Rose Columba Adams). Elizabeth and Cecilia were the daughters of James Smith Adams (a squire, 1780-1860) and Elizabeth Emma McTaggart (1793-1843) of Tower House, Woodchester in Gloucester, a property which Elizabeth later inherited. Originally a monastery, Tower House had been converted into a stately home after the Reformation. According to information originally provided by the donor, both this dress and the dress T0004.1 were made for Elizabeth and Cecilia, to be worn at the young Queen Victoria’s first 'drawing room ball' following the end of court mourning in 1838 for her uncle William IV who died in 1837. In 1838 Cecilia would have been twelve years old and Elizabeth would have been ten years old. It is possible that this dress was worn by one of the girls to this event as it is of appropriate dimensions for a child of that age, although its design is very formal and adult. Elizabeth was born on 30 June 1828 at Tower House and died on 1 May 1909. She created a scandal when she eloped with her first husband, Thomas Charles Gardiner at the age of 18. The validity of the marriage was later formally investigate and, while it was confirmed as valid, a second church wedding was subsequently held. Thomas died in 1878. Elizabeth subsequently remarried Reverend R. E. Blackwell, but was widowed again by 1889. Cecilia was born on 17 December 1826 and died in 1902 a spinster recluse in England. At the inquest into Cecelia's death in 1904 it was revealed that she had clearly come from a family of means as her home was filled to the brim with highly valuable goods, many in boxes. She was buried in the family vault at Woodchester. Elizabeth and Cecilia's sister Sophia converted to Roman Catholicism in 1851 and became a nun, taking the religious name 'Rose Columba'. In 1883 Mother Rose Columba led a group of eight to Australia, answering a call for Dominican sisters to nurse the sick in Adelaide. Upon arrival, she founded St. Dominic's Priory and the Church of Perpetual Adoration in North Adelaide, using her inheritance to build the chapel. Elizabeth's second son, George Henry Somerset, who inherited the Adams family estate dropped the 'i' in Gardiner and added the maiden name of his grandmother. Therefore, the family name has now become Gardner McTaggart. These Adams family entries have been updated with information provided by Dr Herbert Gardner McTaggart, great-grandson of George Henry Somerset in April 2016. Mr McTaggart contacted the society after finding our entries online.A hand sewn cream, pale blue, orange and gold embroidered satin formal dress, the bodice dates from circa 1840. This dress shares a skirt with T0004.2, which dates from a different period (circa 1890). The bodice features a wide shallow neckline finished with a beige coloured cord in two decorative lines. The sleeve is set on the true shoulder and is a short fitted sleeve with decorative gathering and two lines of corded detail. The bodice is shaped to the body with 2 sets of six fine knife pleats diagonally positioned narrower over the waist and spreading out over the bust. These pleats are secured with six double lines of stitching. The bodice finishes high on the waistline at either side and points down to a point over the centre front. The base of the bodice is finished with a piped edge and beige decorative cording. The bodice encloses the body at the centre back where it has holes that presumably would have held lacing. The back features four diagonal knife pleats finishing at the centre back and splaying out over the shoulders. The waistline at the back features only a very gentle point.cecilia elizabeth adams, elizabeth emma adams, james smith adams, elizabeth emma mctaggart, sophia charlotte louisa adams, queen victoria, drawing room ball, 1840s fashion, tower house, woodchester -
Brighton Historical Society
Shoes, c1890s
This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased these 1890s shoes around 1990 and recalled wearing them to approximately three events before she donated them to BHS in 2019. Di enjoyed the novelty and conversation they would inspire due to their unusual appearance by modern standards. The shoes are indicative of Di's playful approach to clothing and life. The decorative preserved mink pelt with head featured on the vamps of these shoes is typical of Victorian era interest in and prevalent use of preserved animals for decorative purposes in clothing, millinery and household adornment. This fashion reflected social positioning of oneself as being affluent, educated and worldly. Following the death of Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert in 1861, the Queen's approach to mourning his death influenced social conventions for the public, with the wearing of black becoming a significant aspect of Victorian fashions. The shoes were made by Kendal Milne & Co, a large department store on Deansgate, Manchester. It has traded under various names and owners since it opened in 1832; it traded as Kendal Milne & Co from 1862-1919, and continued to be known by this name for many years after. The store is currently owned by the House of Fraser department store chain and is known as House of Fraser Manchester.Black silk linear quilted uppers of single piece construction with feature centre front vamp seam. Horsehair wadding can be seen along the side of the forefoot where the upper is coming away from the leather soles. Approx 4.5 cm plain black silk covered heel with leather top piece missing from right shoe. Both shoes feature the head of a small preserved mink with glass eyes. The toppling of the vamp features a decorative strip of mink fur. Inside of both shoes is a gold printed manufacturers label on the black silk insole.Manufacturers label - Made expressly for Kendall Milne and Co, Manchester.victoriana, mink pelt, taxidermy, 1890s, fur, di reidie, vintage clothing