Marlborough Museum Collection of Textiles
Bodice

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Record 296/334
Copyright Marlborough Museum - Marlborough Historical Society Inc
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Collection MHS (unaccessioned) Textiles
Description One piece woman's bodice designed to be worn with a matching skirt. Made by Costumiers J. Ballantyne & Co., Christchurch, New Zealand, details on the grosgrain waist ribbon. Garment is made of violet heavy grosgrain silk? with lace trim appliqued at neckline. It has a square neckline with full sleeves.

Garment examined by Pam Saunders, Joan Bennett and Robin Elder in 2010.
Country of origin: Christchurch, New Zealand

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 bodice, possibly teamed with the cream satin evening skirt, would have been worn for special occasions 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.

Object ID 0000.600.0277
Object Name Bodice
Other # T0835
People Renwick, Anne (nee Smith)
Smith, Anne (later Renwick)
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Last modified on: December 19, 2014