Fancy dress
On the left is a display of items selected from Charles
Stewart's important collection of fancy dress. Fancy dress was
extremely popular for parties and balls in the Victorian period and
into the early 20th century. The display features two rare
full-size artist's lay figures, Lily and Titus.
These museum objects are behind glass because they are so
fragile, but there is an opportunity to try on some reproduction
costume in our Corset and Costume corner.
Lily
The lay figure dressed as an 18th century Venetian woman is
Lily. The outfit probably dates to the 1930s and may have been worn
at something like the Chelsea Arts Ball, an event that was famous
for fancy dress in the first part of the 20th century.
Titus
The seated wooden lay figure was named Titus by Charles. He
wears a Pierrot costume made from curtain material, which was worn
by Sydney E Taylor, who won First Prize at a ball held on board a
ship bound for Brazil in the 1920’s. Sitting on the shelf is a
quarter-scale figure of similar construction to the full-size
Titus.
Tudor tunic
The cloak and doublet are part of a man’s Tudor gentleman’s
outfit, possibly used at the Pageant of London in honour of the
Coronation of King George V in 1911.
Medieval-style doublet
The black and pale green ‘medieval’ doublet and cap was designed
by Charles Stewart to wear to a fancy dress party in 1937. The
original design along with cap are on the on the shelf above
Rosebud
On the low pink velvet chair of the 1860s is a 1920s Rosebud
costume, created mainly from crepe paper.
Ole!
Hanging on the rail is a Matador jacket; the trousers are draped
on a chair. The outfit dates from about 1900.
Peasant style
A black velvet bodice with a red and yellow striped skirt, part
of a French Peasant Woman’s outfit of about 1900, are also on the
rail.
Spanish dancer
This Spanish costume of about 1870 came from the dressing-up box
at Cavens, Kirkbean.
Playing cards!
The 1890s Knave of Hearts costume and the 1930s girl’s dress of
a Pack of Cards are inspired by the deck of cards
Gypsy
On the back of the door is a Gypsy dress in red and yellow
dating from about 1890-2.