Summary

Farm worker's smock (or slop) brought to Australia from England (Rolvenden, Kent) by donor's great-grandmother, around 1883. The loose over-garment, covering the knees, is typical of those worn in the southern counties of England, such as Surrey or Sussex.

Physical Description

Loose over-garment, covering the knees, neatly hand-sewn from drabbet (twilled linen), light brown coloured. Opened front and back (can be worn either way) with buttons made from mother-of-pearl (unclear if original); long wide arms with double cuff (one button); large cape-collar; honeycombing embroidery around collar, along shoulder and around cuff; smocking at top of front and back opening, and top of sleeves and just before cuffs. Heart-shaped embroidered motif at base of front and back opening. Generous fabric at the elbows, and reinforced shoulders, would make the smock suitable for manual work. Numerous small rust spots; no repairs or signs of extensive use.

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