Nottingham Castle Christmas Countdown Clock: Day 21

Welcome to the Nottingham Castle Christmas Countdown, where each night, we’ll be sharing an item from the world-class collections in the Castle’s Galleries in the lead up to Christmas.

 

Welcome to day 21 of the Nottingham Castle Countdown Clock. Tonight, we’re sharing this fabulous lace dress worn by Lady St Paul of Ewart Park, Northumberland.

Dating back to 1866, this dress is adorned with black silk machine-made Leavers lace trimmings (imitating Maltese bobbin-made lace) and chenille fringe, which contrast with the rippling purple silk, dyed with the fashionable artificial colour mauveine. We think this might be one of our favourite collection items, and it’s certainly a show-stopper of a party outfit!