This red cape was greatly treasured by the family that owned it, who it passed from one to the other as a very important artefact. They rightly valued it as its fabric is very finely woven and the maker was an expert tailor. It was designed as a outer garment. The woollen lining band around the hem suggests it may have been worn on cold Yorkshire nights in carriages to keep the feet and ankles warm. The collar would equally protect from chill winds as it is packed with woollen padding. The cloak was not just kept to guard from chills as the family took it to South Africa and Australia where its warmth was not so vital. Members of the family also wore it for family dressing up sessions. The donor remembers wearing it as fancy dress to her mother's Women's Institute drama sessions. Its original lining was a vivid red silk satin. A tiny piece remains at the neck. After passing down through the family the donor, Ruth Read ,was keen to donate her treasured cloak to 'somewhere safe'.
Historical superstition held that red cloaks protected the wearer, as did red shoes and petticoats. This may underpin the family's devotion to this garment.

The cape was professionally made by a good tailor and has been well cut and beautifully machine stitched.
It has been altered:
Ruth remembers the first collar was black velvet, later replaced by brown fur, probably musquash. It may have had another covering before this. The red silk lining was replaced by darker red rayon probably by Ruth's daughter, Christine Read.

The cloak was first owned by Lavinia Jane Langton (1863-?) of Leeds Yorshire, who wore it when she was 20 before she married Henry Sutcliffe Myers. They had 9 children, 6 boys and 3 girls, Maud (1890-1921), Alice (1894-1970) and Ruth (1896-1974) .Maud wore the cloak in about 1905-1910. Alice, who never married, went out in it often and gave it to Ruth when she went to Baltimore, USA to work. Ruth (donor's mother) also wore it often. She married Hector Hall and was responsbile for treasuring and keeping it in the family. They travelled from UK to South Africa then to UK then to Australia when the family emigrated in 1961. Ruth herself decied to donate it to the Museum when she moved overseas in 1991.

Cape, womans, red wool, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 1875-1885

The fine red woollen cape is very well cut in circular pieces garduating larger towards the hem. The cape fastens with large metal hooks and eyes down the centre front. It is shaped to fall squarely from the shoulder and flares out in the skirt. The top of the collar has been removed and now reveals a woollen padded interlining. The skirt is also lined with a knitted woollen fabric in a wide band around the hem.

Made: 1875 - 1885

91/898

1875 - 1885

470 mm

11180 mm