A Milliner's Shop

Date1787

Artist/Maker Henry Kingsbury

Publisher S. W. Fores

OriginEngland, London

MediumBlack and white line engraving and etching with period color

DimensionsTrimmed past plate: 14 7/8" X 20"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961-207

DescriptionLower margin reads: "The modern Bard says Tom, sublimely sings/ of Virtuous, gracious; good uxorious, Kings/ Who love their Wives so constant from their Heart/ Who down at Windsor daily go a shopping/ Their Heads so lovely into Houses popping,/ And doing wonders in their hagling Art./ And why, in God's name, should not Queens & Kings/ Purchase a Comb. or Corkscrew, Lace for Cloaks,/ Edging for Caps, or Tape for Apron-Strings,/ Or Pins, or Bobbin, cheap as other Folks/ Reader! to make thine Eyes with wonder Stare/ Farthings are not beneath the Royal Care!/ Pindars Ode upon Ode."

Label TextQueen Charlotte is seated buying tape accompanied by one of the Princesses at the counter of a milliner's shop. King George stands to the Queen's left. Other fashionably dressed people stand around watching or shopping. The back wall is lined with boxes, hanging petticoat inflators, hats, etc. In the foreground a mall child plays with a muff. High above the scene, in the upper-right corner, is a sign that reads: "SPLITFARTHNG/ MILLINER TO HER" insinuating that this shop serves as the milliner to Her Majesty to the Queen of England.