Item SH 880213 Cloak - Black Silk, circa 1920s

Summary

Alternative Name(s): Cape

Black silk evening cloak with vibrant pink linking and wide ruched collar. Said to have belonged to Betty Anderson of 'Mynda', Molesworth Street, Kew. Originally the cloak was dated to the late 19th century, but the style, and the age of the wearer, suggests a date around the 1920s.

Betty (Elizabeth) was the daughter of James Caldwell Anderson and Mary Lloyd Anderson, and grand-daughter of renowned architect Lloyd Tayler. Born in 1889, Betty was one of four siblings, all of whom she outlived. The family lived at 'Mynda', 5 Molesworth Street, Kew, Melbourne. Betty served in the Red Cross during World War I, although details are confined to a nurse's apron and a photograph. She never married, and lived to the age of 92, passing away in 1982.

Physical Description

Black silk evening cloak with pink silk lining. Cloak has wide ruched collar. Cloak lining also has ruched edge at neck. Attached to inside neck, on long satin ribbon, is a pouch made of black satin for keeping valuables. The pouch is hand-sewn and trimmed with a long black fringe. The cloak fastens at neck with two self-covered buttons and loops, one of which is broken.