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Set of Baby Clothes

1776 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
England (made)

This baby's cap has an inscription worked in needle lace. It reads 'Thos Fry agedd 1 year 1776 Wroham Kent'. Professional lacemakers produced little needle lace in England in the 18th century. The technique was still popular with amateurs however. This type of needle lace is known as hollie stitch or hollie point. It is a knotted buttonhole technique in which the pattern appeared in the form of openings between the stitches. Women used hollie stitch for decorative panels, which they inserted into linen, in particular on baby clothes.

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read Embroidery – a history of needlework samplers Our collection includes over 700 needlework samplers ranging from as early as the 1400s, to pieces stitched in the 20th century. They offer a fascinating insight into the practice and teaching of an important domestic craft. Find out how the social and educational significance of samplers ...

Object details

Categories
Europeana Fashion Project
Lace
Christianity
Children & Childhood
Children's Clothes
Object type
Set of baby clothes
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Neck Trimming
  • Cuff
  • Cuff
  • Cap (Headgear)
  • Cap (Headgear)
Materials and techniques
Linen, decorated with needle and bobbin lace
Linen
Cotton
Lace Making
Brief description
C, lace, 1750-1800, English; Bobbin and needle, hollie point

C, lace, 1750-1800, English; Bobbin and needle, hollie point

C, lace, 1750-1800, English; Bobbin and needle, hollie point

C, lace, 1750-1800, English; Bobbin and needle, hollie point

C, lace, 1776, English; Needle, hollie point
Physical description
Baby clothing, cotton with lace trimming
Dimensions
  • 146 1907 length: 253mm
  • 146 1907 width: 162mm
  • A length: 270mm
  • A width: 135mm
  • B length: 559mm
  • B width: 367mm
  • C length: 362mm
  • C width: 109mm
  • D length: 381mm
  • D width: 112mm
Summary
This baby's cap has an inscription worked in needle lace. It reads 'Thos Fry agedd 1 year 1776 Wroham Kent'. Professional lacemakers produced little needle lace in England in the 18th century. The technique was still popular with amateurs however. This type of needle lace is known as hollie stitch or hollie point. It is a knotted buttonhole technique in which the pattern appeared in the form of openings between the stitches. Women used hollie stitch for decorative panels, which they inserted into linen, in particular on baby clothes.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
146 to D-1907

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Record createdNovember 27, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O86350/set-of-baby-unknown/
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