Collection |
MHS (unaccessioned) Textiles |
Date |
1871 |
Description |
This woman's one piece wedding gown, manufactured in New Zealand in 1871, was originally worn by Miss Eliza Sedcole Ladd at her marriage to Mr. Neil Macaulay in Renwicktown on September 19th, 1871. Eliza gave no occupation at the time of her marriage. Her husband was the storekeeper at Renwicktown.
The rustbrown embossed taffeta wedding gown was hand-stitched by the 19 year old bride. Wedding gowns at this time were mostly coloured as white material was rare. It is trimmed with black bobbin lace and fine rustbrown border trimming. The whole gown and belt is lined with brown twill cotton.
Bodice and skirt are joined at the waist and are opened down the front. The boned bodice is secured down the front with 14 hooks (1 missing) and handmade eyelets. There are 10 small covered satin buttons down the front of the bodice and also 2 covered satin buttons finish the trim at the shoulder, wrist and six on the separate material belt. The shoulder line and small standing collar are defined with piping.
The front panel of the skirt falls into pleats at each side and the pleats continue to the centre back where the material is heavily gathered (stroked) 22cm. There is a material insertion at the waistline. The skirt, which has a slight train at the back, is finished at the hem with a velvet ribbon edge.
The belt is fastened at the side and has six bones to keep it spread.
Part of Ethel Collins collection. Some of the clothing collection attributed to Mrs. Ethel Collins was gathered before she became a member of MHS. Later, as volunteer in charge of the Textile Department, garments were donated to her for the Society [see MHS minute book 5, page 211]. These garments joined her own donated collection and all became part of the MHS Textile Collection. |
Object ID |
0000.600.0043 |
Object Name |
Gown, Wedding |
Other # |
T2038 |
People |
Ladd, Eliza Sedcole Miss Macaulay, Neil Shirriffs, Reverend Mr. Macaulay, Eliza Mrs. |
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