The cloak has been worn by the distinctive figure of the Widow
in the company’s television and press advertising since 1986. The
classic figure of the Widow, from the era of the Napoleonic wars,
has made the life insurance, pensions and investments company,
founded in 1815, a well known financial services company.
The cloak joins the diamond earrings, wedding band and brooch,
made by Hamilton and Inches of Edinburgh, which were also worn in
Scottish Widows advertisements and which were already on
display.
Scotland: A Changing Nation, which opened in 2008, is the most
recent permanent gallery in the National Museum of Scotland. It
brings together a captivating range of Scottish stories, words,
costumes, photographs, objects and film to present a bold and
innovative look at modern Scotland over the last century. In 2009
the gallery was shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize for originality
and excellence in museums.
David Forsyth, Senior Curator of Scottish Social History and
Diaspora, National Museums Scotland, said,
"We are committed to keeping the gallery relevant and its
displays will continue to evolve as Scotland changes. The objects
range from the familiar to the extraordinary, and this cloak will
be recognised by homes up and down the country. The development of
Scottish Widows and the wider finance industry is an important part
of the Scotland’s story."
Stuart Green, Senior Brand Manager, Scottish Widows,
commented:
"Scottish Widows is one of the best known Financial Services
companies in the UK, and the Widows’ cloak is an iconic image. We
are delighted for it to become part of National Museum of
Scotland’s exciting exhibition."
Model Hayley Hunt, the current face of Scottish Widows, was
delighted to visit the display and be photographed on the roof
terrace of the National Museum. By coincidence, one of Scottish
Widow’s first offices was in Brown’s Square, which was demolished
to make way for the construction of Chambers Street – now the site
of the National Museum of Scotland.