We started with a tour of the costuming archive and conservation center. We split into two groups and got to see some of the earliest pieces in the collection. We were allowed to take pictures, but do not have permission to post any of them.
The first items were a falling band, a pair of women's lace cuffs and a jack of plates. The falling band is the one described on page 99 of Arnold's PoF4. The band, as most are, is of very simple construction with a lovely 1.5 inch lace around it. I'm always amazed at how small the rolled hems are. The women's cuffs were mid 17th c and had some very small worked buttons. The jack of plates was just a back piece with the fabric outer layer still intact showing how all the plates were mounted. It was missing it's lining and likely a layer of tow. It was mounted between two pieces of glass so we could see both sides and had been originally acquired for the Martin's Hundred site.
Next were some 17th c bed hangings. The earliest was late 16th century. The collection contains quite of few bed and wall hangings because when the Williamsburg site got started, they furnished the historical buildings with actual extant pieces. They now use reproductions to save the artifacts from the wear and tear.
Further down, there was a table with some framed embroideries. The middle one was late 16th c and appeared to be more of a tapestry sample. The most amazing piece was stumpwork. This is a highly dimensional embroidery and featured three oak trees with actual acorns incorporated above a tent/pavilion. There were also small mica pieces used as windows. It was truly inspiring... and daunting.
I feel like the next few drawers we looked at were a bit rushed. There was a drawer full of buttons, most of which were still on the original cards from Dorset and were worked in linen/cotton. They were 18 c, but many were styles that are seen in the 16 c.
Another drawer have two 17 c coats and a blackwork coif dated to ~ 1560. There was some debate about the dating of the coif, but Jenny Tiramani agreed with the 1560 date. There was no evidence of it having ever been lined.
After the extant pieces, we were allowed into the conservation room where they are prepping for an upcoming exhibit of hooked rugs. The earliest were ~1830, but it was cool to see the variety represented from these cottage industry items.
We then concluded the morning with a visit to the Williamsburg Costume Design Center. This is wear they made and mend clothes for ~900 interpreters. The scale is quite impressive, even if they have been hit will budget cuts in recent years.
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| A small portion (less than 1/6) of the Williamsburg costume collection. |
For the afternoon, I visited the Rockefeller Jr. Library and spend some time reading and making some copies from Lions of Fashion. There were lots of pretty pictures and the library staff was very friendly and helpful.
Also got to have dinner with friends, so all in all, a very good day. I'm really looking forward to what the next few days will bring.
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