53/645

The origin of this smock is unknown. It is made of white drabbet, embroidered with thick white thread, and is reversible. The collar and shoulder straps are embroidered with lines of feather stitching and the boxes each have two spiral flowers with leaves separated by two horizontal hearts with the tips overlapping. This design would suggest that it was designed for a gardener or a milkmaid.

1 smock: white drabbet; thick white thread; good condition

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] – 'The origina of this twill weave cotton smock is unknown. The smocking is minimal, accompanied by simple featherstitched heart and flower motifs on the side panels and rows of featherstitching on the collar and yoke, the cuffs and pocket flaps are plain. The smocking and embroidered design on this reversible smock is the same as 51/446M.' p.8, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'SMOCK // DATE ACQUIRED: Nov, 1953 // GROUP: PERSONAL clothing garment // NEGATIVE: 60/1181 60/1182 // PERIOD: Unknown // PLACE OF ORIGIN: On loan from E. R Goodey Esq., The Duke of Wellington [...] // NUMBER: 53/645 // DESCRIPTION: The origin of this smock is unknown. It is made of white drabbet, embroidered with thick white thread and is reversible. It has two pockets with lids, placed across the side seams. The tubing is 8 inches wide and 10.5 inches long, and the sleeves above the cuffs are also smocked. The collar and shoulder straps are embroidered with lines of feather stitching and the boxes each have two spiral flowers with leaves separated by two horizontal hearts with the tips overlapping. This design would suggest a gardener or a milkmaid. // The smock is 45 inches in length from shoulder to hem. The hem is 65 inches in circumference with slits of 5 inches at each side seam. // See also 51/258 M', MERL Recording form – ‘Name of Object: Smock // Date: // Name and address of present owner: // ... white drabbet. Heavy material, Not use elaborate smocking. Boxes [pencil sketch] collar [pencil sketch] sleeves [pencil sketch]. Nothing on cuffs‘, MERL Catalogue Form (temporary) – ‘Sheet 1 of 3 // No. 53/645 // further descr. [tick] notes // Material: white twilled cotton, twisted linen white thread, bone button, linen covered button // Description: Condition: one button broken, fair slightly worn and stained // date: 1969 // Completeness: one button missing // date: 1969 // Dimensions: total length: 119 cm, collar depth: 14 cm, cuffs depth: 4 cm // Interest: origin no information // Repr. Cur. pho.: 60/1182 // Acquisition: Source: E.R. Goodey, The Duke of Wellington // Method: perm. loan. // date: //Notes (continued overleaf): Description: handsewn. style: round frock, slit at hem at each side seam, square strengthening patches on wrong side, collar: 2 straight pieces, cuffs: narrow band with 1 button hole on each cuff, one has two buttons, one bone (broken) and one linen, the other cuff no buttons, pockets: set across side seam, flaps PTO // Cataloguing Cataloguer: LCB // of: MERL // date: 12.3.73 [verso:] Description: embroidery: boxes; feather stitch, each has two spiral flowers with leaves separated by two horizontal hearts having overlapping tips (same pattern as 51/246M). Collar and shoulder - feather stitch, broken lines // tubing; outline and cable, back and front - 17 rows, sleeves, above cuff - 5 rows‘

Stitched, Embroidered, Woven, Smocked