Physical description

Wedding dress consisting of a cream silk satin bodice and draped and trained skirt decorated with embroidered net and artificial pearls, and a veil and a non-associated petticoat.

Place of Origin

London (made)

Date

1885 (made)

Artist/maker

Gladman & Womack (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Silk satin, cotton machine-embroidered net, artificial pearls and metal thread, boned, laced, and lined with cotton

Object history note

Registered File number 1990/1787.
Part of a wedding ensemble T.428 to I-1990.

Worn by Mary Primrose for her wedding on 10 June, 1885, to Major Herbert Littledale at SS Phillip and James, Cheltenham.

On 26 April 1886, Mary gave birth to their daughter, Elsie Mary Littledale. Her husband held the rank of Major in the York and Lancaster Regiment. The regiment in 1886 was at its Barracks in Sheffield, having returned from a tour of duty in India.

Tragically, on 18 May 1886, Mary died in Sheffield. Due to the close dates of Elsie's birth and Mary's death, it may be that Mary died as a result of complications after childbirth. While the cause is not clear, it is certain that she did not die in India, as previously thought, but in Yorkshire where her husband's regiment was stationed.

Gladman & Womack were Court Dress Makers with premises at 26 Portman Street, London.

Descriptive line

Wedding dress consisting of a silk satin bodice, a skirt, a veil and petticoat, made by Gladman & Womack, London, 1885

Labels and date

Wedding dress
Gladman & Womack
London
1885

In the 1880s the cut and decoration of fashionable dress frequently drew on historical styles. The drapery of this wedding dress, worn by May Primrose for her marriage to Major Herbert Littledale in June 1885, has similarities with a late 17th-century informal gown called a mantua. When the bride died only a year after her marriage, her family carefully preserved her dress.

Silk satin, skirt decorated with embroidered net, artificial pearls and metal thread tassels
Given by the Hon. Mrs S.F. Tyser
V&A: T.428&A-1990 [2011]

Materials

Silk (textile); Net (textile); Pearls (imitation); Cotton (textile); Metal thread

Techniques

Satin weave; Embroidered; Machine made netting; Boned; Lined; Lace making

Categories

Marriage; Fashion; Women's clothes; Lace; Embroidery; Europeana Fashion Project

Production Type

Haute couture

Collection

Textiles and Fashion Collection