Collection |
MHS (unaccessioned) Textiles |
Date |
mid 1890s |
Description |
Two piece linen/net/lace, blue and black day gown manufactured in the mid 1890s, country of origin unknown. The original Owner/Wearer was Mrs. Renwick of Dumgree. It is believed this is the second Mrs. Renwick (Anne nee Smith, widow of Dr. Thomas Renwick).
Anne Renwick lived at their home, '"Newstead" in Nelson before her husband's death in 1879. Her husband's nephew, also named Thomas, inherited "Dumgree", Dr. Thomas Renwick's Marlborough estate, but because of the nephew's illness Anne took over the running of the estate. Dumgree is in the Awatere Valley in Marlborough and Anne lived there, but she made frequent trips back to Nelson. This gown would have been worn during her time as manager of Dumgree. There is a book in the MHS Archives library, "Renwick - the Story of a Pioneer Family", by Elisabeth Airey, published by the author in October 1979. There is a family tree on page 81.
The blue and black spotted heavy linen day gown has leg-o-mutton sleeves, finished with elbow length cuff, trimmed appliquéd lace and finished with a double flounce of Alencon lace. The boned bodice is waist length with a blouson front. The bodice is opened at the back - it does up with a double system of hooks from the bottom of the yoke to the waist allowing the back to blouse and the underlining to be tighter. Metal hooks and eyes are used although on the lace portion the eyes are covered with blanket stitch. The yoke, which is made of net, has Brussels and mixed lace appliquéd to it and has a high neck with five bones in the collar. The centres of some of the lace flowers have been padded to accent the laid out pattern. The bodice is fully lined with fine cream linen. It has a black satin belt sewn onto the waist. This is pleated and finished in the front with a square of black satin, which has a gathered frill around it and six surface-stitched buttons. The long skirt is smooth over the hips and has an inserted panel at the front, but no side seam. The back is slightly gathered but the main fullness is created by the cutting on the cross of three deep tucks, which complete the skirt - the waist measurement of 63 cm increases to 406 cm at the hem. The skirt has a slight train at the back and is not lined.
Textiles Manager, Pam Saunders, says, "This item was in Girlings replica shop when we started to sort out the textiles in the 1980's. I remember it being in a suitcase with the name, Mrs. Renwick, Dumgree, on it. It wasn't part of Mrs. Collins's collection."
|
Object ID |
0000.600.0036 |
Object Name |
Gown |
Other # |
T0842 |
People |
Renwick, Anne (nee Smith) Smith, Anne (later Renwick) |
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