Infant Clothing
Date1700-1750
OriginEngland
MediumLinen, Lace (Binche)
DimensionsA = Forehead Cloth
Width across the front of the cloth: 5 1/8 inches, Depth: 2 ¾ inches
B = Forehead Cloth
Width across the front of the cloth: 5 3/4 inches, Depth: 3 inches
C = Cap or Biggin
Neck Edge: 8 inches, Opening around face: 10 inches, Top: 3 ½ inches
D & E = Sleeves
Overall Length 5 1/8 inches, Opening of the sleeve: 6 ½ inches
F & G = Sleeves
Overall Length 5 1/2 inches, Opening of the sleeve: 7 inches
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2022-64,8A-G
DescriptionA = Forehead ClothA very small forehead cloth with tape rosettes attached with three pins in the corner. The forehead cloth is made with two layers and is pattern ironed or embossed with stars and zig zag designs. The front edge is decorated with a very fine Binche lace.
B = Forehead Cloth
A very small forehead cloth with tape rosettes attached with three pins in the corner. The forehead cloth is made with two layers and is pattern ironed or embossed with stars, flowers, and zig zag designs. The front edge is decorated with a very fine Binche lace.
C = Cap or Biggin
A very small infant cap or biggin that is open at the top and finely gathered at the back of the neck. After gathering the cap was starched and pressed into fine pleats. The cap is edged in Binche lace. The entire cap is pattern ironed or embossed with zig zags, stars or flowers. The cap is made in two pieces.
D & E= Sleeves
Infant sleeves made from fine damask linen and faced with fine plain-woven linen. The damask linen gathered at one end with a small tape tab that shows scars from pin damage. The plain-woven linen is stamped with flowers and zig zags. The upper edge of the plain-woven linen is edged with fine Binche lace.
F & G = Sleeves
Infant sleeves made from fine diaper linen and faced with fine plain-woven linen. The diaper linen gathered at one end. The plain-woven linen is stamped with flowers and zig zags. The upper edge of the plain-woven linen is edged with fine Binche lace.
Label TextInfant clothing was commonly produced at home or bought together in sets. A group of 28 pieces of infant clothing came from a house in Dorset, England. While nothing attributed these pieces as a group, the lace, construction techniques, and pattern iron suggests that they were worn together. The forehead clothes and sleeves have matching pattern ironing. The entire group also shares very similar or identical binche lace.
ProvenanceA collection of 28 pieces of infant clothing (all 2022-64 accession numbers) descended through various branches of the Medlycott family of Ven House in Somerset, England. The baronetcy was created in 1808 and became extinct in 2021 with the death of Sir Mervyn Tregonwell Medilycott, the 9th Baron of Medlycott. Sadly these garments do not have association with specific members of the family, but were all found stored in The Manor House, Sandford Orcas, in Dorset, England, the home of Sir Mervyn Tregonwell Medilycott, the 9th Baron of Medlycott.
