Gracious in grey
The light grey evening dress is from the early 1890s and is made
of satin brocade with a pattern of flowers and grasses in pink and
yellow silk. It is trimmed with blonde net lace and has pearl
and gilt decoration. The dress was made by Ellen Oliver of
London.
Glittering gold
The gold satin damask evening dress with an abstract pattern
dates from 1894-5. It is trimmed with blonde net lace at the neck
and with a satin band at the waist.
Magical maroon
The dark red velvet dress was originally made with a day bodice
featuring a high neck and long sleeves in around 1890-91. This
evening bodice was made a little later in 1894-5. A pink ostrich
feather fan completes the outfit.
Respectful black
The black evening dress of 1893-4 is appropriate for a widow in
the third stage of mourning. It is made from black satin
trimmed at the neck with a deep black net frill embroidered with
jet beads and sequins and is worn with a black lace shawl.
In the late Victorian period, the process of mourning followed a
strict code lasting for at least two and a half years, in which
there were four stages. Each stage entailed that specific clothing,
appropriate in colour, fabric and style should be worn. Some women,
like Queen Victoria, continued to wear black mourning clothes for
the rest of their lives.
Gentlemanly apparel
Gentlemen wore dinner suits with black tie for informal evening
occasions. The butler wears the more formal tailcoat and white
tie.
Furniture and paintings
The large bookcase of about 1800 holds a display of 19th century
ceramics and the room is also furnished with a 19th century sofa
and chairs.The over mantel mirror is original to the house and the
clock and vases on the mantle are mid-nineteenth century.
The portrait of Queen Victoria that hangs by the door is a copy
of an original by FX Winterhalter, 1842.
By the library door is a portrait of William Stewart
(1666-1735), secretary to James, the 2nd Duke of Queensberry.
The Duke's portrait hangs in the corner alongside a portrait of
his father the 1st Duke. Both paintings are copies of originals at
Drumlanrig Castle.