Christening Robe thumbnail 1
Christening Robe thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Christening Robe

1902 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The baby clothes of the 1850s to 90s were often made from stout, plain fabrics which would last well and stand up to robust laundering techniques. The early years of the twentieth century saw a move to creating baby clothes in lighter weight fabrics and more delicate trimmings, particularly those garments intended for formal wear and special occasions. This Christening robe is made from a soft fine Japanese silk which was imported into the UK, and trimmed with an unusual machine-made lace with a fruit motif, possibly a European import.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Habutai silk trimmed with embroidery and machine-made lace
Brief description
Christening robe of ivory-coloured silk with bands of lace insertion, made in England, 1902
Physical description
Christening robe of unlined ivory-coloured habutai silk trimmed with machine-made lace. The circular neck is feather stitched and edged with lace in a six-petalled flower motif; the full wrist-length sleeeves have a matching lace edging. The squared yoke is made up of vertical bands of lace insertion with a fruit motif, alternating with bands of self fabric worked with feather stitch, and edged throughout with a matching lace frill. The lower part of the long gathered skirt is made up of horizontal insertions of feather stitched silk bands and lace insertion to match that on the yoke; the skirt hem is finished with two scalloped flounces of matching lace. The garment fastens at the back with a ribbon drawstring at the neck, and two pearlized buttons with stitched buttonholes
Dimensions
  • Centre back length: 102.8cm
Credit line
Given by Edith Rowbotham
Object history
Worn by the donor, née Edith Hoe (b 1902) for her Christening in August 1902 in West Dulwich, and also by her brother Edgar (b 1906) for his Christening. (RF 83/1485)
Subjects depicted
Summary
The baby clothes of the 1850s to 90s were often made from stout, plain fabrics which would last well and stand up to robust laundering techniques. The early years of the twentieth century saw a move to creating baby clothes in lighter weight fabrics and more delicate trimmings, particularly those garments intended for formal wear and special occasions. This Christening robe is made from a soft fine Japanese silk which was imported into the UK, and trimmed with an unusual machine-made lace with a fruit motif, possibly a European import.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.206-1983

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Record createdMarch 6, 2009
Record URL
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