Pair of joined apparels of embroidered silk and satin, made in France, 1625-1650

Pair of joined apparels of crimson satin decorated with an applied pattern of yellow and cream satin, outlined with couched silver-gilt thread and bundles of blue silk thread. Further slight decoration with red and green silk in running and stem stitches.

Each apparel is decorated with a symmetrical design of interlaced, stylised stems which terminate in trefoil leaves and flowers. The stems are decorated with tendrils and leaf forms. The whole is bordered with a narrow edging of yellow satin.

The apparels have been mounted together with a fringed metal braid and decorated, at either end, with heavy metal cords and tassels.

Given by Major and Mrs Broughton

This apparel was donated as part of a large donation of late 19th and early 20th century garments and accessories (with a few historical textiles, such as this) in 1972. Its provenance is not known, but it may have been acquired by the Huttleston Rogers family as an example of historical embroidery, or have been passed down through the Broughton family.

The donor, Major Ailwyn Broughton, is the grandson of Cara Broughton, née Cara Leland Huttleston Rogers (1867-1939), who married Urban Hanlon Broughton (1857-1929) in 1895. As Urban H. Broughton died before he could be elevated to a peerage, their eldest son Urban H.R. Broughton (1896-1966) became 1st Baron Fairhaven of Lode on 20 March 1929, while Cara became 1st Lady Fairhaven. This barony became extinct on Urban H.R.Broughton's death, but a later barony, Baron Fairhaven of Anglesey Abbey, co. Cambridge, was granted to him in 1961, with a remainder to his brother, Henry (1900-1973), to enable this title to continue after his death without male heirs. Henry's son, Ailwyn became Lord Fairhaven following his father's death.

T.281-1972