court coat

Summary

Mauve-grey uncut velvet, embroidered, lined cream twilled silk, sleeves white linen front edges curving away to sides, with ten white satin covered buttons embroidered with metal thread and spangles and foil, fastening with four hooks and eyes to standing collar; fronts in one section extending to side back, with pocket (linen) each side with shaped flap; back in two shaped sections, open at centre from below waist to hem; button at seam each side of centre back, level with top of slit, pleating and two more buttons below; long sleeves in two sections with wide cuffs trimmed three buttons; neck, front edges, cuffs, pocket flaps and surround, back slit and pleating outlined and embroidered with leaves and sprays in metal thread, silk and metal and glass spangles; condition of lining poor. From the collection of donor's brother, the artist Frank Moss Bennett (1874-1952), who had a large collection of 'Georgian and early 19th century costume'. See purchase files under Bennett. More of the collection is at the Museum of London. Miss Buck went to the Museum of London (then in Kensington Palace) in August 1953 and select 2 coats from the remainder of the pieces. £10 for each was offered and accepted by Miss Barbara Bennett. Frank Bennett had written to Miss Buck in August 1951 saying that he had 'a large private collection of Georgian and early nineteenth century costume'.