The dress was worn by Olive Cowper, sister of Sir Norman Cowper, who died aged 2 years three months.
The dress was donated to the Australian Costume and Textile Society by Sir Norman Cowper, the ACTS then donated part of their collection to the museum in 1985.

Day dress with sash, childs, cotton, maker unknown, [Australia], c.1895.
Childs day dress of cream self striped cotton. Short skirt gathered onto a dropped waistline, long sleeves, turn down pointed collar and wide matching sash. Dress is knee length and trimmed with panels of smocking on front and back bodice, embroidered with cream silk floss, between the collar points and centre front there are two small shell buttons for decoration. There is also smocking on cuffs. The collar is embroidered with cream silk floss and trimmed with broderie anglaise as is the bodice and cuffs. There is a centre back opening to thigh fastened with a shell button and four small covered buttons. There is a long sash of the same striped cotton.

Made: Australia; 1870 - 1920


Used: Cowper, Olive; Australia

Owned: Cowper, Norman; Sydney

95/132/1

1870 - 1920