Christening Gown
Item
Title
Christening Gown
Rights
Image copyright: University of Canterbury
Type
christening gowns (<dresses by function>, dresses (garments), ... Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name))
Date
ca. 1872
Description
This white cotton christening gown was originally worn by Professor Jack Erskine, a Canterbury College alumni and staff member in the Mathematics Department, who worked closely with Ernest Rutherford.
The christening down is modestly decorated with lace, whitework embroidery, and broderie anglaise, a type of needlework popular in England during the late 19th Century. Lace trims the collar of the gown, while the bodice and sleeves are decorated with the whitework embroidery and broderie anglaise.
Like most christening gowns from the 1870s, this gown has a long skirt, which would drape elegantly from the baby's body. The skirt is also decorated. The top section of the skirt begins with a series of cartridge pleats but is otherwise plain. The lower half is horizontally pleated every few centimetres. Beneath the pleating is a long trim of broderie anglaise in oval patterns.
The back of the gown is open, allowing the baby to be clothed easily, and is secured with ties.
The christening down is modestly decorated with lace, whitework embroidery, and broderie anglaise, a type of needlework popular in England during the late 19th Century. Lace trims the collar of the gown, while the bodice and sleeves are decorated with the whitework embroidery and broderie anglaise.
Like most christening gowns from the 1870s, this gown has a long skirt, which would drape elegantly from the baby's body. The skirt is also decorated. The top section of the skirt begins with a series of cartridge pleats but is otherwise plain. The lower half is horizontally pleated every few centimetres. Beneath the pleating is a long trim of broderie anglaise in oval patterns.
The back of the gown is open, allowing the baby to be clothed easily, and is secured with ties.
Format
Textile: Cotton
Extent
Height 1060mm; Width 300mm (bodice); Width 800mm (at base)
Rights Holder
University of Canterbury
Subject
Staff
Owner
University of Canterbury
Collection
University of Canterbury Art Collection
Source
UC Canterbury College Heritage Collection.
Identified during Canterbury College Survey 2020-2022
Identified during Canterbury College Survey 2020-2022
