Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Unusual Artifacts: Queen Victoria’s Costume for the Stuart Ball, 1851

Queen Victoria's Costume for
the Stuart Ball, 1851
Designed by Lemi
Pearls, Silk, Gold Braid, Silver Fringe,
Irish Lace
The Royal Collection
For the Stuart Ball of 1851, Queen Victoria commissioned the Royal Dressmakers to create a truly breathtaking gown for her—drawing inspiration from her court of King Charles II. Though we often tend to remember Victoria as the Dowager Queen, we must remind ourselves that during her marriage, she was a vibrant and vivacious woman with a taste for fine clothes and gems.


Beaded with seed pearls, the silk gown is also adorned with gold braid, silver fringe and lace. The underskirt was a luxurious brocade created in Benares. The lace is of the finest quality—created in Ireland—in a Venetian raised-point needle style. The lace was most likely purchased at The Great Exhibition of 1850.

While the exact makers of the gown are unknown, it is known to have been designed (with much instruction from the Queen) by Eugéne Lemi—a favorite of the Queen. In this magnificent costume, she’s sure to have made the grand entrance that she’d hoped for.



1 comment:

Debbie Davies said...

Hello! Found your site following links from Radio 4's programme this morning on 'Queen Victoria's ipod'!

I wanted to see what her golden piano looked liked and Google images also threw up your link to QV's costume for Stuart ball 1851,which was also mentioned in David Owen Norris' R4 programme.

This mssg is to say I spent a happy hour browsing yr site - and particularly enjoyed 'Friday Fun 18 Nov' and the links to QV's great-grandson Prince John 'the lost prince'- this series had passed me by on tele! Most interesting, prompting further research into the hapless young lad. Links to poignient clip showing his accomplished and moving trumpet recital which held up the business of war and a meeting of the war cabinet!

Well done and thankyou. I am stuck in bed typing one handed to side - still recovering fm a hysterectomy early July that seems to have left my guts a bit mangled.

I think this 'royal' morning and accompanying music will stay with me for some time. Will visit again!

Thanks, ATB Debbie peteanddebdavies@tiscali.co.uk