68/24

Hand sewn reversible smock found at Canterbury. Owned by F. Turmaine, butcher, farmer & grazier. Made from cotton twill and natural thread.
This smock was found in donor’s cousin’s home at Canterbury, Kent. Home previously owned by F. Turmaine, retired butcher, farmer & grazier. Probably obtained for amateur theatricals. This is a reversible smock made from natural cotton twill and natural thread. It is hand sewn. There is smocking on the chest at front and back, and on the sleeves at the top and above the cuff. There is embroidery on the chest at front and back, and on the collar and yoke. The smock is 109cm in length.

1 smock: natural twilled cotton; good condition

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] – ‘This smock was sent to the Museum with a letter ‘I have come across the enclosed smock … I have no use for it and would be glad if you can find a place for it, or if it is not sufficiently good for keeping, destroy it.’ The reversible smock, made of heavy weight cotton twill and simply decorated, was not destroyed, and when later asked, the donor said that a retired butcher, farmer and glazier (one person) living in Canterbury originally owned the smock. The inset pockets have plain buttoned flaps. It is thought that it might have been acquired for amateur theatrical use.’ (pp.24), MERL Catalogue Form (temporary) - ‘Sheet 1 of // Object name: smock // Class.: Personal Clothing garment // Description: Materials: natural twilled cotton, natural thread, metal buttons // Date; 24.3.73 // Condition; Good apart from rust marks around pockets and some stains // Dimensions: Total length; 109cm // Collar depth; 11cm // Cuffs depth; 4.5cm // Possible place of origin; Kent, Canterbury //Acquisition: Source; Mrs E. S. Forward, [...] Cornwall // Method; gift // Date; 1968 // Description; handsewn; Style: round frock, side slits at hem edge; // Collar: two straight pieces; // [page break] Cuffs: straight bands, metal buttons, one on each cuff and one on each sleeve above cuff; // Pockets: set in across side seams, flaps, one metal button on each // tubing: outline, cable and points; back and front - 23 rows, sleeves, top – 1 row, sleeves, above cuff – 5 rows; // embroidery: all feather stitch - straight and curved lines, on boxes, collar and shoulders. // History: Found in donor’s cousin’s house at Canterbury, Kent, house previously owned by F. Turmaine, retired ? butcher farmer + grazier. Probably obtained for amateur theatricals. The smock does not appear to have been worn for any length of time. [L.C.B.] // Sheet 2 of // 3 Dimensions: pocket flaps, ht x w; 8 x 25cm // tubing, back & front, ht x w; 30 x 20cm // tubing, sleeve, top, ht x w; 3 x 1cm // Sheet 3 of // Dimensions: tubing, sleeve, above cuff, ht x w; 3 x 11cm // hem circumference; 186cm’, MERL 'Handwritten catalogue' form – 'SMOCK // 68/24 // PERSONAL - Clothing - garment. // Neg 60/10789 // Donated by Miss E.S. Forward [...] // Found Miss Forward's cousins house [...] original owner of which was Mr Turnaine, a retired butcher, farmer + glazier. // See correspondence' // [pencil sketch], Letter, E. S. Forward to The Keeper, 25 March 1968 – 'Dear Sir, // Thank you for your letter of March 15th - Sent to me at Canterbury. I am sorry that I have been unable to answer it earlier. // I have very little to tell you regarding the smock which I sent you. It was found among the possessions of my cousin, whose house I have been clearing out. The original owner of the house was [...] Turnanine, a retired butcher, farmer and glazier of Canterbury, who died in 1925 at the age of 94. It is unlikely that he ever wore it, in fact his only remaining daughter (now aged 90)claims that it was obtained for amateur theatrical use. // [...] // Yours sincerely // E. S. Forward

1800-01-01 - 1925-12-31

Nineteenth century

Fibre, cotton, Fibre, Metal

Stitched, Smocked, Embroidered