From the collection of the late Mrs June Jeffreys (1928 – 2016) who married George William Eyre Jeffreys (1931 - 2019) in 1960. The house Newhouse, Redlynch, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, has been in the family for 400 years and many of the dress collection was inherited through Mr Jeffrey’s family.
The curious thing about this very rare dress is a different tartan has been used for the bodice, but it perfectly compliments the skirt. With its huge skirt a crinoline frame would have been worn. Unfortunately I do not have one for a prop, so please just imagine a fuller skirt! Having looked through I'm afraid I cannot identify these two tartans. I have not bought a tartan dress in 35 years and don't recall seeing one of this date for sale.
The high round neck with rouleau trim, front opening with three hand made loops, but no hooks, a wide vertical fringed section from back to front, wider at the shoulders and diminishing in width to the pointed waist, three bones to centre front, boning to the sides, the dropped shoulders with rouleau trim, a panel and wide flaring sleeves with double silk fringing, the skirt rouleau edged to the bodice, back opening with eleven original hooks and eyes, a further one to skirt section (probably added later), the very full skirt with box pleating to the front and fine cartridge pleating to the back, a green dust gatherer to the hem, the bodice lined with a light brown cotton, the skirt with a lighter cotton.
Bust 36 in; 90 cm.
Hem circumference 138 in; 3.5 m
Length shoulder to front hem 55 in; 1.4 m
In remarkable condition considering age and it is made of wool. The three hooks to the front opening are missing. There is a hole 4 x 2.5 cm to back, 55 cm up from the hem. There is plenty of fabric at the waist for conservation. Another hole 1/4 in; less than 1 cm in front skirt 15 in; 40 cm from hem. Another pinhead hole a little further up. Because the skirt is so full the holes do not actually show.
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