Historical information

This dress is believed to have 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 one-piece, lustrous silk taffeta evening dress, lined with polished cotton, probably owned by Mary Ann Henty, and later by her daughter, Alice. The V-waist line of the dress and the dimensions of the skirt are comparable to Mary Ann’s wedding dress. The bodice in contrast is less structured. At a later stage, the sleeves were removed.

Measurements (mm):
BODICE:
Girth - Neck 914.4, Chest 863.6, Waist 685.8, Hip 863.6, Hem circumference 3302.
Vertical - Front neck to hem 1371.6, Front waist to hem 1092.2, Back neck to hem 1384.3, Back waist to hem 1079.5
Horizontal - Neck to sleeve head 44.45, Chest back 431.8, Underarm to underarm 431.8.