dress

Edward McKnight Kauffer 1890 - 1954

Summary

Purple crepe de chine batik printed in fuchsia pink. Long sleeved tunic dress, the front having a square scooped neckline. High on each hip the front is slashed horizontally and extra fullness is gathered into this slash. There are tie belts at each side at the end of the slash. Back also slashed at hip. Sash belt across the back to tie with half belts at the end of the slashes at front. These tie belts form a long bow at each hip. Skirt of dress is batik printed with a 51cm border in brilliant fuchsia pin. Border design deatures a stylised oak tree, flanked by exotic flowers, plamettes, rose trees and carnations, then has a narrow border of three serpentine bands of pink batik. Hem is weighted down by blocks of lead. Sleeves are slashed at middle arm, flaring to long drooping 'medieval' points. Dress has underbodice of flesh-coloured net to waist. Designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer (1890-1954) for Esther Meynell, novelist, and wife of Gerard Meynell who owned Westminister Press, where McKnight Kauffer was Director of Pictorial and Poster Advertising. The batik may be by his 2nd wife, Marion Dorn, Textile Designer. See Sotheby's catalogue 7 Nov 1980. Lot 103. Purchased by Manchester at Sotherby's, 4 March 1981, lot 476 for £341. See E.McKnight Kauffer - A Designer and His Public by Mark Howarth-Booth, p.40 & 125 for reference to dress.