Costumes dating from the time of Jane Austen

Chinese tapestry

The collection consists of almost 1000 items dating from Georgian, through Regency and Victorian, to the 1920's with a few later items. The bulk of the collection is Victorian with 200 dresses and costumes from that period, the remaining items being hats, gloves, shawls, parasols, and umbrellas, walking sticks, fans, shoes, underwear, nightwear, blouses, babies' gowns and caps, male and female uniforms from Victorian to the Second World War. Exceptional items are two complete Quaker costumes donated by Miss Stella Sewell of Whitby, who is a member of the Society, a black Victorian (mourning) wedding dress which is in much demand by other Museums for exhibitions, Lady Harrowing's court presentation dress (her husband was Sir John Harrowing, Lord Lieutenant of N.Yorks), a pair of Elizabethan gloves and a Victorian dress of hand woven silk. There is also a small collection of Oriental footwear and a Mandarin's robe. Amongst the textiles we have a comprehensive collection of lace, mostly hand made, and Victorian beadwork, including some beautiful beaded capes and stoles.

Various Victorian costumes

 

Lady Harrowing's Court Dress in 1927