Historical information

This outfit belonged to Mary Ann Henty [nee Lawrence] (1821-81), the wife of Francis Henty (1815-89). Her husband, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew.

Significance

The Henty Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century clothing, including outerwear and underwear, was collected, stored and exhibited over time by female family members descended from Francis and Mary Ann Henty. During the twentieth century, items from the collection were modelled in two fashion parades by various descendants [1937, 1959]. The items in the collection are historically and aesthetically significant, with provenance provided by oral and written tradition within or held by the family. A number of the items in the collection are very rare survivors, and provide researchers with the evidence needed to reconstruct the lives of notable women in the Port Phillip District [later Victoria] during the nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Physical description

A two-piece silk taffeta chalk-striped afternoon dress worn by Mary Ann Henty, aged 49, in the period when she lived at Merino Downs near Portland. The outfit has bands of black silk and rows of fabric covered buttons on the bodice and skirt.

Measurements (mm):
BODICE:
Girth - Neck 355.6, Chest 889, Waist 736.6, Hip 863.6, Cuff 254, Hem circumference 2032.
Vertical - Front neck to hem 419.1, Front waist to hem 152.4, Back neck to hem 558.8, Back waist to hem190.5 , Sleeve length 584.2.
Horizontal - Neck to sleeve head 165.1, Chest back 330.2, Underarm to underarm 406.4.
SKIRT
Girth - Waist 609.6, Hip 1270, Hem circumference 4064.
Vertical - Front waist to hem 1117.6, Back waist to hem 1371.6.