This collection of objects including a notebook, a needlework pattern book and photographs was owned by Isabella Knaggs (nee Brown) and reflects the importance the skill of needlecraft was to the nineteenth century woman. Young girls across all strata of society were taught needlecraft from an early age to prepare them for their duties as a young woman. For lower or working class women, needlecraft provided a means of earning a living. For the genteel woman, skill with a needle was a leisure activity and in the privileged classes of society, needlecraft was ornamentation and a skill that was part of the social graces expected of a young woman. A daughter skilled in needlework was also a reflection of a mother's excellent training.

The provenance of the collection is well documented and emphasises the importance of material culture in providing people with a powerful sense of identity and belonging that is anchored in a fuller understanding of the past. This collection also indicates the importance of needlecraft in the lives of nineteenth century women as an acceptable outlet for their creative and artistic abilities. The photographs of Isabella and her husband the Reverend James Knaggs personalises the objects and provides context for the collection.

In 1854 portraits on paper became popularly known as the 'carte de visite'. This particular format made photographic portraits available to a much broader section of society. The process was patented by the French court photographer Andre Adolphe Disderi in 1854. Carte photography was popular in the 1860s and dominated the portraiture market for the next twenty years.

The photograph of Reverend James Knaggs was produced by Maull & Co. of London.

The photograph of Isabella Knaggs and photograph of Reverend James Knaggs was donated to the Powerhouse Museum by the great granddaughter of the original owner, Isabella Knaggs (nee Brown). Born in Filey, a Yorkshire town, Isabella married the Reverend James Knaggs in 1860. Isabella bore three children to Reverend Knaggs, Cornelius (b.1861), who was the donor's grandfather, Margaret and Caroline Mary. Isabella died in 1869.

Cornelius married Caroline Wastie and they immigrated to Durban, South Africa where the donor's mother, Marjorie was born. After the death of their mother in childbirth, Marjorie and her sister Ellie were raised in London by their grandparents, the Reverend James and his fourth wife Eliza. Marjorie met Claude Stanley Smith, an Australian born in Newcastle, NSW, in a London hospital recovering from wounds incurred in Gallipoli, 1915. They emigrated to Australia in 1918.

Photographs (2), black and white, carte de viste, of Mrs Isabella Knaggs and the Reverend James Knaggs, paper, printed by Maull & Co, London, England, 1860-1869

Black and white photograph of Mrs Isabella Knaggs standing next to a small round pedestal table with her hand resting on a book.

Black and white photograph of Reverend James Knaggs seated and name of photographer, 'Maull & Co. London' printed at the bottom of the photograph.

Made: 1860 - 1869

Handwritten in pencil on the reverse of the photograph - 'Mrs Isabella Knaggs'

Printed on the front at the bottom of the photograph of the Rev. James Knaggs - 'MAULL & Co.'

Printed on the reverse of the photograph of the Rev. James Knaggs - three crests and 'MAULL & Co. / PHOTOGRAPHER TO THE ROYAL FAMILY/ Portrait and Miniature Painters / 62 Cheapside / AND 187A. PICADILLY / LONDON 'J. Knaggs'; handwritten in pencil - '80456' with text too small to read at the bottom of the photograph.

2007/152/3

1860 - 1869