CHRISTENING ROBE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 20

CHRISTENING ROBE

■ '. -..W.OBir BY CHARLES I. .. A very rare christening robe of exquisite needlework lias . recently been plaped on .■permanent loan at tho Lon* Hon Musenmi Lancaster House, St. James's (says the "Daily Telegraph"). TJjq history of the robe, which, is the property of -Mr. :P. V. Ponder,-can toe traced back with: accuracy for five generations of Londoners, but there is no doubt that it ia very much .older than the date (1780) which is thereby indicated. ■_ ' . •, ■ The robe, which is in penect condition,, is of the period of King Charles 1., and its needlework decoration is .very like that upon- the skull, cap of the-Kilig) ivhich, it will be remembered, is one of the recent historical additions to tho museum. It ( was,"in fact, the recognition Of this similarity that led to the unpacking' and subsequent presentation of the robe. ■ .Every lover ,of needlecraf t will be amazed at the, delicacy of the flowing design with which the fine upper linen is quilted oh to the heavier under material. ; The tiny palo gold stitches are so close together, and so tightly pulled down, that \it seems' as though the embroidercss reached perfection in her T7ork.. ...'.'. . \ Surprisingly priiliitivo is the manner in which the robe is cut in. one piece from tho noek,.and. tucked to 'fit the [baby'sbody.ilt is so very simple that.one is bound to. feel sorry, for tho poor little wearer, whoso comfort was evidently of far less account' than the magnificent sweep of his gown. Perhaps someone realised that tho deep icavalior cuffs would weigh .heavily upon the . shoulders, for some little "braces" have teen added to fasten with good intent en to tho babo 's under-garments.' A very finoly-knotted fringe, which is characteristic of the period, borders the dress, and upon tho under-side of the front a looped tapo is stitched, through which: a ribbon might be laced across tho underskirt. The latter, although almost out of sight, is quilted yith as great care as the robe itself. By a happy coincidence another christening robe of Charles 11. period has just been lent to the' London' Museum by Mrs. Harry Plowman. Similar in chape, it is made of delicate ivory satin and outlinedi with a docp, scalloped fringe. • ' ,