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Gown

1750-1754 (weaving), 1760 - 1769 (sewing)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The gown is made of beige silk, figured in a pattern of rows small repeating diamonds, with horizontal strips of silver strip between. It is brocaded with large sprigs of flowers in shades of blue silk and silver thread, against large zig-zags of silver-gilt strip and frisé.

The open at the front, with an English-style back, elbow-length sleeves with double sleeve ruffles. The gown has a buttoned stomacher, sewn to the robings. The bodice, sleeves and stomacher are lined with linen. A narrow band of silver-gilt bobbin lace edges the sleeve ruffles and a broader length adorns the robings and stomacher. The skirts are made of five widths of silk and one width, cut in half, on either side of the front opening. The three panels at the back have been pieced at the bottom, carefully matching the design of the silk.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk, linen, silver, silver-gilt, silk thread, linen thread; hand woven, figured and brocaded, hand sewing, bobbin lace
Brief description
A woman's gown, 1760s, English, of beige silk, 1750-54, brocaded with flowers in blue silk, silver and silver-gilt thread and strip
Physical description
The gown is made of beige silk, figured in a pattern of rows small repeating diamonds, with horizontal strips of silver strip between. It is brocaded with large sprigs of flowers in shades of blue silk and silver thread, against large zig-zags of silver-gilt strip and frisé.

The open at the front, with an English-style back, elbow-length sleeves with double sleeve ruffles. The gown has a buttoned stomacher, sewn to the robings. The bodice, sleeves and stomacher are lined with linen. A narrow band of silver-gilt bobbin lace edges the sleeve ruffles and a broader length adorns the robings and stomacher. The skirts are made of five widths of silk and one width, cut in half, on either side of the front opening. The three panels at the back have been pieced at the bottom, carefully matching the design of the silk.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 1.58kg
  • Shoulder to centre back hem length: 148.5cm (approx)
  • Bust under armholes circumference: 92cm (approx)
Object history
Purchased from W Butcher Esq of Hampstead, with 268-1891, 270-1891 and 271-1891 for £5 in 1891. Registered file 4376/1891. The gown is thought to have belonged to Elizabeth Hinde (d.1795), wife of Shukbrugh Ashby Esq (b. 6 October 1724) M.P. for Leicester, who served as high sheriff of the county in 1758 and in 1759 purchased the ancient family estate of Quenby.
Collection
Accession number
269-1891

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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