Traditional long Christening dress, made from fine cotton with lace and broderie anglaise inserts. The skirt of the gown is gathered tightly into the lace and broderie anglaise bodice.
Context
A Christening robe can be handed down the family and be a very cherished item, echoing family history. Up to the late 18th century robes were lavishly embroidered and colourful but by the turn of the century white became the chosen colour, representing innocence and purity. The fashion for lace in robes became especially popular after Queen Victoria ordered a Honiton lace robe for Edward VII's christening. This robe is probably early 20th century.