55/126

Reversible Wiltshire smock from East Knoyle, a label dates it 1894. Made of natural coloured drabbet (coarse linen) with matching thread.
This Wiltshire smock comes from East Knoyle, and a label in the back dates it to 1894. It is a reversible smock made of natural coloured drabbet (coarse linen) with matching thread. It is embroidered with herringbone stitch on the collar, shoulders and cuffs.

1 smock: natural coloured drabbet and thread; good condition

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] – 'The widow of a collector donated these smocks to the collection in 1955. Correspondence shows that the seven smocks were sent by rail from Oxford Station 'packed in a Gladstone bag with good leather straps but no key', and that the donor did not want the leather bag returned, as it was no great offering being fifty years old. // 55/126 originates from Knoyle, Wiltshire and is dated 1894 by the donor. There is no embroidery to accompany the smocked areas other than simple rows of herringbone stitch on the collar and yoke. Long pockets are set behind the side seams and accessed through a vertical opening in the seam. The overall condition of this reversible twill weave cotton garment is good.' p.10, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This smock was obtained from East Knoyle, Wiltshire, in 1894. // It is made of natural coloured drabbet and is smocked in the same coloured thread. It is reversible and is fastened at the neck with one button. The tubing measures 6 inches in width and 7 inches in length. There are no boxes, and the collar and shoulder straps are embroidered with rows of herringbone only. The sleeves are also smocked at the top and bottom and fastened with two buttons. There is a long slit pocket at each side. // The smock is 43 inches in length from shoulder to hem and 71 inches round the hem. // See also accession 51/258 M’, MERL ‘Temporary Catalogue’ form – ‘Sheet 1 of 3 // Identification // Class. PERSONAL clothing garment // Dimensions: total length; 114cm // collar depth; 15cm // cuffs depth; 6cm // pocket slits length; 17cm // Marks: Inscription // method: embroidered, green on collar // Acquisition: Method: gift // Notes (continued overleaf): Description: handsewn, style: round frock, neck fastened with one bone button neck back and front, collar: two straight pieces; cuffs: straight bands, one bone button on each cuff and one on each sleeve above cuff; pockets: set in each [page break] side seam, double; tubing: outline and cable, back and front – 26 rows, sleeves top – 8 rows, above cuffs – 12 rows // embroidery: herringbone stitch, collar and shoulders – double row, cuffs – single row. // Sheet 2 of 3 // Dimensions: tubing, back and front; 20 x 17cm // tubing, sleeves, top; 6 x 4 // tubing, ,,cuffs; 10 x 11cm // Sheet 3 of 3 // hem, circumference; 177.5cm’, MERL ‘Associated information’ form -'Age: 1894 // This smock is made of cream material and smocked with the same colour. It comes from KNOYLE in wiltshire. // Under the collar there is a tape with the following on // SKILBECK (WILTSHIRE E KNOYLE 1894 [pencil sketch][page break] Collected by C.O. Skilbeck Esq deceased of [...]Bledlow [...] Aylesbury // Is it in good condition? // yes', MERL miscellaneous note – 'Material: unbleached cotton twill width 32 // sh:44 ch 30 Is. 23 smk. 7 x 7 3/4 emb. collar 6 // slits with double pockets in side seams // Handsewn - side seams [...] edges - running stitch, hemmed, sleeve seams stitched flat // Embroidery in white treble thread [on front back], side // 2 rows hemming on shoulder collar edge single row on cuff edge // Smocking. honeycomb and rope stitches front & back // sleeves top + bottom // Cuff fasten with two bone buttons on each + bone buttons front + back // Condition good // gusset under arm - 6 x 6 // sleeve width 7, Photographic prints - [text on paper sleeve] 'Acc. No. 55/126 // Neg. No. //60/1122'

Wiltshire

1875-01-01 - 1894-12-31

Late-nineteenth century

Fibre, cotton, Fibre, Bone

Stitched, Smocked, Embroidered