Rare, unusual and interesting antique costumes and textiles; for museums and collectors looking for that extra special piece, for new and established collectors and for those with a modest budget who want to adorn their person or home.

SOLD

Walking/Croquet Dress
c 1860

or for Croquet, which became very popular in the 1860s. The buttons, loops and tapes inside the skirt allow it to be puffed, allowing greater freedom for movement. I have just had this cleaned by a specialist company who have managed to remove the starch. It looks so much better! New photos going up soon.



From the collection of the late Mrs June Jeffreys (1928 – 2016) who married George William Eyre Jeffreys (1931 - 2019) in 1960. The house Newhouse, Redlynch, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, has been in the family for 400 years and many of the dress collection was inherited through Mr Jeffrey’s family. Mrs Jeffreys also bought at auctions, and as no information was left with the collection it has been impossible, amongst the 19th century dresses, to attribute particular dresses to a wearer.  I have however made suggestions as to who might have worn a particular dress, but there is no proof. The exception to this is the 18th century Chinese export embroidered yardage, which were almost certainly bought, by a member of the family, who worked for the British East India Company.



I would be pleased to send out the full family history.


Cataloguing

Of piqué cotton with brown wool zig zag design to the edges.



The jacket flared and with  two pleats, round neck with a band of brown wool continuing down the front and round the hem of the bodice, a lightly gathered frill with more embroidery to the edge, long flaring sleeves with a gathered frill, embroidered with brown wool, the back with two pleats. The very full skirt with front side opening, two brass hooks and eyes, concealing a pocket, three hem frills with double embroidery top and bottom. The inside skirt has three covered buttons on strips and three loops. There are also two ties, missing its loop and another loop and two ties, all for pulling the skirt up.



Hem circumferance 45 in; 1.15 m



Shoulder to hem: 58 in; 1.48 m



Underarm 33 in; 86 cm



Jacket back 22 in; 57 cm.


Condition

In remarkable condition. A little of the wool to the back skirt has worn and a little elsewhere, but really not much. Ask for photos.  There is a L shaped tear to the top of the skirt near the waistband 2 in across the top x 1 1/2 in down. This could be improved. There are slight marking where other fastenings  were found on the side opening placket.