Historic Dress and Textiles Collections

What do we have?
Embroideries from the 17th century and dress and accessories from the 18th century onwards. Women's late 19th and 20th century clothes are particularly well represented, as are wedding dresses, many of which are displayed at the Red House Museum.

christening gowns, patchwork quilts, samplers, smocks and fashion plates. Textiles explore the range of fabrics and designs and methods of decoration for both clothing and domestic furnishings.

We also collect contemporary textiles, such as Alice Kettle's Harlequin 1989 and Carole Waller painted textiles on display at the Red House Museum in May. The community engagement project Dressed 2 Express looking at the development of teenage youth culture and fashions since the 1950s opens at Basingstoke Library on 10 May.

The Dress of Fops and Dandies'
An exhibition of exquisite waistcoats of the late Georgian and Regency from our collections is on display at Whitchurch Silk Mill from 1 April until 29 June.

Local treasures include a raised work embroidery raised work embroidery of c1660 depicting Basing House, Jane Austen's silk pelisse dress of c1814, and clothing of the Empress Eugenie.

The textiles collection numbers many small embroideries including a Jacobite needle purse of c1715 and samplers including the Fanny Adams sampler commemorating the death of a small child in Alton.

Why do we have costume and textile collections?

To use in displays and exhibitions interpreting historic themes, and exploring past lifestyles, demonstrating skills and interests
To provide evidence of what was worn, made and used locally
As a reference resource for costume designers and interpreters, students of dressmaking, quilting, embroidery, and art history

If you have an item or group of items you would like to donate or receive information about, or photographs you would like dated from the costume, please send details to the Senior Keeper at Hampshire Museums and Archives Service, Chilcomb House, Bar End, Winchester, SO23 8RD. tel 01962 826700, fax 01962 869836

Marye the Quene by Paddy Killer commissioned by Hampshire Museums Service in 2004
On display

5 July - 16 August
Andover Museum
6 September - 1 November
Red House Museum
15 November - Christmas
Havant Museum

Contacts

Items in the reserve collection can be viewed by appointment with Alison Carter, Senior Keeper of Art
email enquiries.museums@hants.gov.uk

Heywood Sumner tapestry

The image at the top of this page is a detail from The Chace, designed by Heywood Sumner.
More information the Heywood Sumner tapestry