TEA JACKET

White broderie anglaise tea jacket. Might have been worn in the afternoon. The back consists of three panels joined by 3cm of lace of a geometric design. The centre panel is straight and the others flared. Each side of the front is two panels, one flared and the other straight, joined by the same lace as the back. The top corner of the front on each side is folded over and sewn at top and bottom. Underneath the top on each side a piece of tape has been sewn. This is the only means by which the jacket can be closed. The sleeves are straight and narrow, joined at the top by the same geometric lace and with a border of it at the bottom of each sleeve. The shoulders are also joined by a piece of the same lace and it has been sewn in a decorative V at the back of the neck. Overall the garment looks reasonable despite the tears and stains. The jacket was made for Emma Annie Bodey's trouseau when she married Matthew James Field on 5.4.1905 in South Australia. Emma Bodey was born on 7.9.1879 in Victoria and died on 16.8.1955 in Dalkeith. Matthew Field came to W.A. from Victoria pre 1899 with brother Henry. Returned to Victoria c. 1899, saw service in Boer War then returned to W.A. with Walter Bodney and Henry c.1902. Worked the Augusta Mine in Laverton until c. 1907 then bought land in Brookton. He was a contractor there sinking dams with his brother Robert. Left in c. 1915-18 for Cottesloe and South Fremantle until 1927 when began farming again at Kununoppin with sons. Children Margaret Dorothy b. 1906 (Kalgoorlie), Matthew Gordon b.1907, Lindsay John b.1909, and James Robert b.1913 d.1937. The jacket was donated to the National Trust by Mrs Heather Dayman, granddaughter of the owner. Mrs Dayman lives in Esperance.

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History Collection

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