Mother’s day
The mother's cream day dress, which is partly covered by a
Paisley shawl, dates from around 1912. It is made of natural raw
silk embroidered with coloured silks on the collar and tunic edges
and it has hand made lace applied to the bodice and cuffs.
Set sail
The sailor suit was made popular by Albert Edward, Prince of
Wales, later Edward VII. In 1846, aged four, he posed for the
German portrait painter Franz Winterhalter dressed in a sailor suit
ordered by Queen Victoria from the official naval outfitters.
It remained a popular outfit for boys throughout the second part
of the 19th and early 20th century. Wide brimmed straw hats trimmed
with a ribbon were often worn with sailor suits. A replica of one
hangs in the wardrobe.
Pretty and practical
The nanny wears a cotton summer skirt and blouse, which are
protected by a full length, starched, cotton apron. This would have
helped to keep her clothes clean whilst she looked after the
children.
Furniture and paintings
On the table rests a baby basket of cane covered in cotton and
trimmed with lace; it was used to hold all the things needed for
babies. A baby’s silk carrying mantle can be seen hanging in the
wardrobe. Many of the toys have been lent by the Stewart
family.
The samplers around the walls are typically Scottish and they
show the themes that young girls would have been encouraged to use
whilst learning the different techniques of embroidery and
needlework.
The painting is of Dorothea and Euphemia Stewart, the 14th and
15th children of William Stewart (1750 –1844) and his first wife,
Anne Murray, painted in about 1803 by John Allen of Dumfries.