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Boy's robe

Boy's robe

  • Place of origin:

    France (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1750 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Silk

  • Credit Line:

    Miss M Dawson gift

  • Museum number:

    T.362-1920

  • Gallery location:

    Museum of Childhood, Costume, Play and Learn Gallery, case 1

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This boy's robe dates from a era when young boys in Europe wore garments with skirts, a custom with unclear origins, but which most likely had to do with making it easier for them to urinate. The style was common until about 1920. A boy usually received his first breeches or trousers between four and seven years of age, sometimes in a special ceremony held by the family.

Physical description

Boy's robe of unlined bronze-coloured silk, the fabric woven in a self-coloured vertical pattern of zig-zag stems bearing leaves and flowers. The garment has a V-shaped neck front which is rounded at the back, close-fitting wrist-length sleeves, and wide flaring skirts. A broad full-length robing of self fabric runs from neck to hem at each side of the front, and gives the impression of an over-garment. The robe, which opens the length of the front, originally fastened down the chest with five buttons and stitched buttonholes.

Place of Origin

France (made)

Date

ca. 1750 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Silk

Dimensions

Length: 68.6 cm

Object history note

Given by Miss Marion Dawson (RF 20/ 8658). Part of a group of adult's and children's costumes (Circ.781-1920 and T 356 to 367-1920) from the collection of her late sister Miss Kathleen Dawson.

Descriptive line

Boy's robe of bronze-coloured silk made in France in about 1750

Materials

Silk (textile)

Categories

Children & Childhood; Children's clothes

Collection code

MoC

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Qr_O94023
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