City of Armadale - History House > Records

CHRISTENING GOWN

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c. 1913 - 1920

Overview

Description: Gathered skirt into bodice. Hand stitched seams and hem. Cut work embroidery on bodice with lace. Set in sleeves edged with lace. Tie at waist, one missing. Neck and waist ties and one button on back of bodice. Front has a dart.
Trimming/decoration: Lace: Broderie Anglaise on front bodice, cuffs and collar.
Embroidery: Front bodice has 3 vertical rows of cut work, outer 2 edged with Broderie Anglaise. The cut work embroidery on the front bodice with broderie Anglaise on neck, cuffs and bodice.
Fibre/weave: Ivory cotton chenille
Manufacture: Hand sewn. Entire garment is hand stitched
Cut: Straight
Fastenings: Buttons, single button back of bodice. Drawstring two sets of ties on back of bodice, first at top at collar, second at bottom of bodice with the button between the two ties.
White cotton, spoke stitching, gathered yoke. Short sleeves, with lace edging around sleeves and neck. Three rows of spoke stitching down bodice front with lace down outside edge on the two outside rows. Gathered panels in between spoke stitching. Tie belt attached at waist (one missing). Gathered skirt. Back of bodice has one small button and 2 draw ribbons at neck and waist.

Historical information

The hand made christening gown was used by the Skeet family for christenings in Forrestdale. The first Skeet child to be christened in Forrestdale was Alfred George Skeet the son on Lillian Skeet (nee dumsday) and Alfred Tunbridge Skeet in 1913. The following year their daughter Laura was christened. The family used a NW Baler shell as the christening font as there was no church in Forrestdale at this time. The christening of alfred occurred on the shore of Lake Jandakot or Forrestdale Lake as it is called today.The Skeet family had five other children, Laura Gladys (1913), Margery (1915), William Clive (born December 1917, died January 20 1918) and Lillian Ursula (1919).

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-AK1976.174

Item type

Material

Keywords

SKEET Laura Gladys Miss

BLACKMAN Margery Mrs nee SKEET

SKEET Willian Clive Mr

SKEET Lillian Ursula Miss

Year

c. 1913 - 1920

Statement of significance

This item is linked to the Skeet family who were one of the first European families to settle in the Forrestdale area, where they raised four children by Forrestdale Lake. The Skeet family played a key role in the economic and social development of the area. This item would have been used by one or all of the four Skeet children, including Alfred George, Laura Gladys, Margery and Lilian Ursula when they were babies.

Comparative significance criteria

Rare or representative

Well provenanced

City of Armadale - History House

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