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This smock probably originally came from Norfolk, and was acquired by the donor's father in Huntingdonshire in about 1900. The donor remembered a shepherd wearing a similar smock in 1906. This smock is made of brown linen, with dark brown thread, and has box, shoulder and collar patterns, as well as two pockets. The embroidery is largely in single and double feather stitch, in a pattern of concentric circles, scrolls, diagonal lines and borders.

1 smock: linen; good condition; no signs of wearStraight band cuffs with 1 button on each, and 1 on sleeve above [one is missing]. Pockets are set across side seams. Tubing on back, front and sleeves. Embroidery includes single and double stitch. Shoulder has circle with 4 scroll ends at centre, and 2 scrolls at top and bottom.

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] – 'This smock, considered to originate from Norfolk, was placed with the Museum on 'permanent loan' in 1956. The donor recalled seeing an 80-year-old shepherd wearing a smock in Norfolk in 1906. The smock is of mid brown linen with dark brown thread used for the smocking and embroidery. The embroidery forms a simple but effective scroll design bordered with rows of featherstitch. Small sections of the scroll motifs on the back and front are marked on the fabric but not stitched. Parts of the design are repeated on the yoke, with straight and zigzag rows. The collar is decorated with diagonal line, and the only remaining buttons, which are small mother of pearl buttons of the collar points, appear very 'dainty' for the garment. The pocket bands were originally buttons. The reversible smock is in good condition.' p.13, Letter, C. F. Tebbutt to MERL, 15th June 1956 - 'My father got this about 1900. I am sure it is not Hunts, fairly sure it is from Norfolk. I can remember about 1906 seeing Mr Howard of Old Hunstanton, an 80 year old shepherd, wearing a smock.', MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'E. F. Tebbutt [...] Huntingden // Probably from Norfolk. Permanent loan. [pencil sketch]', MERL ‘Temporary Catalogue’ form - 'Sheet 1 of 3 // Material(s) Brown linen, dark brown thread, 'pearl' buttons // Condition: good, no signs of wear // Completeness: one button missing from collar, no buttons on cuffs // Dimensions: total length; 111cm // collar depth; 10cm // cuffs depth; 3cm // Association: possible place of origin; Associate: Norfolk [donor] // Notes (continued overleaf): Description: handsewn; style: round frock, shoulders lined with dark brown cotton; collar: two straight pieces, one 'pearl' button on each corner; cuffs: straight bands, 1 button on each cuff, 1 on each sleeve above cuff (missing); pockets: set across side seams, tops, 1 button on each (missing); [page break] tubing: outline cable and points, back and front - 29 rows, sleeves, tops - 2 rows , above cuffs - 9 rows // embroidery; feather stitch, single and double // boxes - 3 circles of 4 concentric rings with central circle having 3 scroll ends, and 2 scrolls on top edge of each circle, edged with three rows [...] and bottom, // collar - border with diagonal lines, // shoulder - circle, centre has 4 scroll ends and there are 2 scrolls at top and bottom // Sheet 2 of 3 // tubing, back and front ht x w; 18 x 20cm // tubing, sleeves, tops ht x w; 2.5 x 1cm // " " above cuffs ht x w; 12 x 8cm // sheet 3 of 3 // pocket tops ht x w; 4.5 x 20 // hem circumference; 196cm'

Norfolk

1900 - 1900

Twentieth century

Fibre, flax, Fibre

Stitched, Smocked, Embroidered