A ROYAL ANTIQUE MID 19thC VICTORIAN ENGLISH EMBROIDERED NEEDLE LACE CHRISTENING GOWN.
PROVENANCE - DONATED BY QUEEN MARY TO RED CROSS IN 1914.
Description:
A once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire an unique, and in my humble opinion, priceless antique garment, a mid 19th Century Victorian christening gown, that from it’s appearance, has not been used since it was made - once the property of Queen Mary, Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother, donated by her to the Red Cross in 1914 to raise funds for the war effort.
The King's length gown is of fine plain white cotton linen with a front panel decorated with pleating and frills of the finest hand made embroidered needle lace, also to the sleeves and hem to the skirt. Two slightly different designs have been used for the lace trim, but all with hand stitched crowns within a wreath of roses, thistles and shamrocks…emblematic symbols of England, Scotland and Ireland.
The gown is secured at the back with a tie to the neckline, and at the waist.
Provenance:
April 19th 1988, Christies Costume and Textile sale, Lot 193, which reads; 'A fine linen Christening Robe trimmed with lace, with a front panel decorated with pleating and frills and embroidered with shamrocks and roses amoung Crowns, mid-nineteenth century. Donated to the Hackney Red Cross to help the war effort in 1914 by Queen Mary where is, was bought by the Vendor's Aunt.' Copy of this Christie’s catalogue included in this sale.
Dimensions:
Total Length: 104 cm, or 41 inches
Skirt Length: 87.5 cm, or 34 1/2 inches
Chest: 56 cm or 22 inches
Condition:
In very good antique condition given its substantial age, with no damage or restoration to the lace or linen. There is a very small stain to the back of the bodice. Please see the images provided which complement this description.
Postage Worldwide - express or registered…quoted upon purchase.
Thank you for viewing this listing for a very special and historic garment, that would grace any museum or private collection anywhere in the world!!!