Images(3)

Neck Stock

Date1740-1760

OriginEngland

MediumWhite tabby or plain-woven linen.

Dimensions2" x 17" Long

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1993-166,A

DescriptionWhite neck stock of fine plain-woven linen. Long narrow shape with fine white fabric pleated lengthwise (to go around neck) and applied to unpleated backing fabric. The ends are designed to be worn with a stock buckle: on one end is a tab with three buttonholes; the other end has tapering tab. On the reverse of longer tab is a mark in fine red cross stitch consisting of a crown and the number 46.

The stock came with a nineteenth-century paper envelope, 1993-166, B. The envelope has a hand-written inscription reading, "Stock of George 2nd/ Letter of Duke of Wellington/ Given to Ellen Passingham by the Misses Cunningham/ daughters to Lord Saltern [Saltourn?]." The letter referred to is missing.
Label TextStock
England, 1740-1760
Said to have been worn by George II, King of England, 1727-1760
Linen; silk marking thread
1993-166
The stock fastened around the neck over the shirtband or collar. The formal stock was fine white linen, expensive to make and keep clean. The tabs at either end were intended for a metal stock buckle whose knobs were buttoned through the buttonholes on the stock. The tapered tab extension was drawn through the buckle and cinched to the correct length at the back of the neck.

MarkingsMark in fine red cross stitch consisting of a crown and the number 46.
ProvenanceAccording to an envelope accompanying the item, this was the stock of George II. The envelope once contained a letter of Duke of Wellington; the letter has not survived with the stock.

Exhibition(s)