Christening mantle and robe of silver tissue trimmed with silver-gilt lace, England, 1700-1729.

Christening mantle and robe of silver tissue on a ground of ivory silk, with a large palmette and floral design, both lined with ivory silk taffeta. The mantle is edged with silver-gilt bobbin lace. The robe opens at the back to below the waist, with a full gathered skirt and short sleeves. The hem is trimmed with silver-gilt woven lace [braid].

The pair was purchased from M. C. B. Gubbins, Esq., from Potters Bar in Middlesex in April 1954.
Extract from Mr. Gubbins' letter of 27th April 1954:


'I am descended from one, Sir Darcy Lever of Alkrington, Sheriff of Lancashire, who died in 1742. He had a son Sir Ashton Lever who was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1771; he died in 1788. They were Knights, not baronets. Sir Ashton Lever died without issue. The christening robe and cloth arrive in my family thrro' the latter's brother, a Rev. John Lever, but they came from either Sir darcy or Sir Ashton. Since this latter had no children it seems to me more probable that they were made for Sir Darcy's children's christening, one of whome was Sir Ashton, who was born in 1729.
Incidentally, Sir Ashton Lever was in his time famous throughout Europe for the immense and varied museum he collected. He was a thorough spemdthrift and was forced to dispose of his museum; this was by a lottery in 1785 which had been sanctioned by Act of Parliament...'

T.35&A-1954