A polite encounter, Wolstanton
A watercolour by R.M. Colley, looking towards St. Margaret's Church, Wolstanton. St. Margaret's Church is depicted here in its pre 1858 state. Between 1858 and 1860 the church was altered by Gilbert Scott ...
Baby’s Bonnet, 19th century
This bonnet is a typical baby’s bonnet, in that it is similar to the medieval coif; the bonnet is meant to cover the hair and ears but not the forehead.
It was probably worn in the 19th century but ...
Baby’s Bonnet, late Victorian / early 20th century
This bonnet is handmade with a hand sewn ‘M’ on the side, possibly the baby's initial.
The bonnet is simple with no decoration or detail meaning it was probably an everyday bonnet.
Bonnet’s were ...
Baby’s Satin Bonnet, 19th century
This baby’s bonnet is made out of satin and is trimmed in down feather and was possibly used as a Christening bonnet. The feather down has been mostly lost over the years with just a small amount of the ...
Baby’s White Dress
This is a handmade dress that may have been used as a Christening Gown before being altered into a formal dress.
The dress has broderie anglaise on the collar, cuffs, hemline and on the belt, these ...
Baby's Bonnet
This bonnet was possibly handmade and used for Christenings or formal occasions. It has broderie anglaise along the neck and the long ribbon ties were used for extra decoration, as they would have been ...
Bicorn Hat, Victorian
The bicorn developed from the tricorn hat and is mostly associated with Napoléon Bonaparte, although most military generals and officers in Europe and America wore it throughout the nineteenth and ...
Black Bowler Hat
The bowler hat was originally made in 1848 and was considered sturdier than the top hat, (as it could easily be knocked off and damaged).
The first bowler hat was originally made by brothers Thomas ...
Black Straw Poke Bonnet, c.1850-1880
This example is made out of straw and is trimmed in lace and feathers.
A beautiful floral decoration on the left hand side breaks up the dark colouring and makes it less formal.
The cotton ribbon ...
Bodice with leg o'mutton sleeves, c.1895-1906
At the turn of the century people started to move away from the extravagance of the previous decades, as the crinoline and bustle died away. Instead people went with a more A-line silhouette and to make ...
Bridesmaid's bonnet, 1940s
This is a child's bonnet that was worn for a wedding.
It has the style of a Victorian 'poke' bonnet.
It was worn by the donor Beryl Brindley (nee Hope) for her cousin Margaret's wedding.
The wedding ...
C Rennatt Top Hat, Newcastle-under-Lyme, c.1885-1910
Charles Rennatt was born in 1861 and on the 1901 census he is found to be living at 16 Red Lion Square, Newcastle-under-Lyme which is where we believe his shop was also located.
He is listed as being ...
Caddick Adams family's nanny dressed as Queen Victoria, Newcastle-under-Lyme
The Caddick Adams family's nanny is here pictured dressed as Queen Victoria, for an unknown occasion.
Cartwright (of Newcastle-under-Lyme) Pocket Watch
Clock-making in the midlands has a long and diverse history, with the earliest known clock to date from 1473.
The area has since been producing various types until the mid nineteenth century. Numbers ...
Child’s Dress
This is either a plain underdress or used for nightwear.
The dress is very plain with no noticeable details and is made out a fine woollen material.
Child’s Dress, c.1880-1900
Fine woollen dress, with an embroidered hem
Child’s Silk Dress
This dress would have been worn by either a boy or girl, as both girls and boys wore dresses until they were about 3 or 4 years old.
Children’s Chemise, c.1850-1900
The chemise was a form of underwear.
This chemise was designed to be worn by a girl when she was old enough to wear children’s clothes instead of long baby dresses.
The frill at the bottom was designed ...