Pink and silver brocaded robe reputedly worn by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

Robe, made of pink silk & cotton blend brocaded with silver-gilt thread, design of vertical stripes alternating with formal floral designs. Narrow band collar, edged with scalloping and gold braid down centre front, hem, and opening from the waist at centre back. Long sleeves designed to hang open if gilt buttons on forearms left unfastened. Lined with natural linen.

Given by W.D. Clarke Esq.

The donor's family tradition regarding this robe was that it was owned and worn by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.

From a letter by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu to the Countess of Mar, 1 April 1717, from Adrianople:

"I am now in my Turkish habit ... The first piece of my dress is a pair of drawers, very full, that reach to my shoes and conceal the legs more modestly than your petticoats. They are of a thin rose-coloured damask brocaded with silver flowers, my shoes of white kid leather embroidered with gold. Over this hangs my smock of a fine white silk gauze edged with embroidery. This smock has wide sleeves hanging half way down the arm and is closed at the neck with a diamond button, but the shape and colour of the bosom very well to be distinguished through it. The antery is a waistcoat made close to the shape, of white and gold damask, with very long sleeves falling back and fringed with deep gold fringe, and should have diamond or pearl buttons. My caftan of the same stuff with my drawers is a robe exactly fitted to my shape and reaching to my feet, of abut four fingers broad, which all that can afford have entirely of diamonds or other precious stones. Those that will not be at that expense have it of exquisite embroidery on satin, but it must be fastened before with a clasp of diamonds.

T.225-1958