A very rare 1820s Dressing Gown or Peignoir. The gown is made from a very fine pin-striped cotton, it hangs loose and is secured around the waist with a belt tie. The sleeves have some fullness gathered into the shoulders. The large double-layered collar sits widely over the bodice and shoulders. The collars are edged with muslin ruffles. The cuffs and neck are secured with Dorset buttons. The gown is quite short in length and in the sleeves, it is possible it was made of a young teenage girl or perhaps was intended to be three-quarter length on an adult lady. This is really a lovely and rare survival of early 19th-century clothing.

The gown is in very good, fresh condition for its age. There are some small holes and small stains but generally the fabric is very strong and sturdy. The muslin ruffles are torn in a few places. There is a large stain on the side of the collar. The gown is a very lovely example and displays beautifully.

Approximate Measurements:

Bust - 34 inches

Waist - 38 inches

Front length - 44 inches

Back length - 49 inches

A very pretty antique 1820s ladies’ cotton bodice. The bodice is made of a fine cotton lawn, it is decorated with inserts of eyelet embroidery. The sleeves are elongated and pull up tightly on the arms, creating full puffs at the top of the sleeves. The bodice does not appear to have ever been part of a dress; there is no evidence of a skirt being unpicked from the waistband. The side seams are left open with overlapped pieces, which seems to be an unusual feature. I can only conclude that this bodice was worn as a blouse or skirt, perhaps with a separate skirt or worn over an underdress. The back opening fastens with little shell buttons.

The condition is good for the age. The bodice does not appear to have been washed in a very long time; the cotton is a very aged off-white tone. The fabric has some minor discolouration and staining. There are some small tears to the fabric, most noticeably on the back of the sleeves. Overall, this is a very lovely example of early 19th-century dress, a great piece for study or display.

Approximate Measurements:

A petite size

Bust - 34 inches

High waist - 30 inches

Front length - 10 inches

Back length - 12 inches

Dating from the mid-18th century, this very pretty lady’s apron is made of silk taffeta gathered into a ribbon waist tie. The apron is exquisitely embroidered with cornucopias bursting with colourful flowers, and a dense floral border around the edges. The embroidery threads are exceptionally colourful for nearly 300 years of age. The charming array of vibrant flowers is a wonderful depiction of a Georgian spring garden. The silk is showing signs of age-related wear; there is some staining and discolouration. The taffeta has split in many places near the gathering; this has been patched with silk from the reverse so the damage is not immediately obvious. One side of the silk ribbon waist tie is missing.

The apron measures 85cm wide and 55cm long.

A rare English gown of circa 1780. The dress is made of very pretty pink Spitalfields silk; the brocade is woven with a scatter of vibrantly coloured flowers. The silk was likely woven in about 1750 and altered from an earlier gown into its current style. The bodice is lined with linen; it has a narrow fitted back, and the skirt is pleated into the waist. The front of the bodice closed with pins; the front of the skirt is open as it would have been worn with a silk petticoat. I have displayed the gown over a quilted petticoat, which is not included with the dress.

The bodice appears to have been altered, likely in the 19th century, to make it fit a smaller person. The sleeves especially appear to have been made smaller, and the bodice partially relined. Aside from the resizing, the dress is in excellent condition for its age. The silk is mostly clean with minimal staining, and the colours are for the most part bright and vibrant; however, there is some discolouration across the pink, especially in areas that have been pieced. Some small holes and worn areas to the silk are to be expected with age. Despite its minor flaws, the dress is an incredibly pretty example of an 18th-century dress.

Approximate measurements:

Bust: 34 inches

Waist: 28 inches

Front length: 10 inches

Back length: 52 inches

A striking yet damaged 1850s silk day dress. The dress is made of silk taffeta patterned with a thin stripe and dense floral borders. A very typical style for the 1850s, the dress has a gathered bodice front, flared pagoda sleeves, and a deep flounced skirt. The dress has been much altered for use as a costume in the 20th century. The bodice has been enlarged, and the sleeves lengthened. The back fastenings have been replaced with press studs. The waist seam is a raw edge, and a modern ribbon belt has been attached to cover this. The silk is very stained and torn in places, and some of the fragile areas have been patched from behind. Overall, the dress is in rather a sorry state, but despite this, it does display well. The neckline does not sit well due to the alteration, so I have added a fine white worked muslin collar, which is included with the dress; the white under sleeves are not included. See photos for examples of the damage and alteration.

Approximate Measurements:

Bust: 35 inches

Waist: 27 inches

Front length: 53 inches

Back length: 59 inches

An exceptionally well-tailored wool coat circa 1893. The coat is made of textured black boucle wool. It is typically styled for the 1890s with full mutton sleeves, a double-breasted front, and a ripple-skirted peplum. The coat fastens with large buttons; sadly, the lower buttons are missing, but as the original buttons are so lovely, I was reluctant to replace them all. The coat is unlined; the interior seams are skilfully bound with tape. The coat is in remarkably good wearable condition, and there is no moth damage that I can see, a real rarity for wool which is over 130 years old. The coat is an exceptional example of the skilful tailoring of late 19th-century fashion.

Approximate Measurements:

Bust: 38 inches

Waist: 30 inches

Length: 30 inches

This striking dress has had quite a life. What started out as an 18th-century dress had been handed down and remodelled several times within the same family. The dress appears to have been remade in the 1840s and then remodelled again around 1905 into its current form. The beautiful blue 18th-century brocade has been pared with delicate Edwardian lace inserts and sleeves. The skirt is long and flared with openings all around, which would likely have revealed a lace underskirt, which is now missing. I have displayed the dress over a plain underskirt, which is not included with the dress. The dress is showing signs of its long life. There are tears and holes, especially under the arms and to the back lace insertion. The bodice lining is very torn and disintegrated; however, the outer silk brocade is in very strong condition and really holds the dress together.

Approximate Measurements:

Bust: 36 inches

Waist: 28 inches

Front Length: 51 inches

Back Length: 54 inches