APOLOGIES FOR CROSS POSTING - RE: DELIBERATELY CONCEALED GARMENTS PROJECT

Dear all,

The Textile Conservation Centre (TCC), University of Southampton, is currently
undertaking a project to locate, document, research and present instances of
deliberately concealed garments in buildings.  This folklore practice seems to
have been prevailant in Britain and the upper Rhine for centuries. The practice
of concealing shoes has been carefully documented at the Boot and Shoe
Collection in Northampton, thanks to the work of June Swan. Ralph Merrifield has
also discussed the practice, but little research has been undertaken until now
into its origins and nature .  Over the years the TCC has conserved some
examples of deliberately concealed garments, for example an early 17th century
linen doublet found in a private house in Reigate, Surrey - a rare example of
working dress.

The Deliberately Concealed Garments Project will collate and document
finds from all over Britain and beyond, using instances of garments and other
objects that have been found in the fabric and foundations of buildings.  The
finds will be documented on the TCC's collection database which will then form
the basis of the project's website.  Thus objects from all over the country
will be accessible from a central resource as will supporting information.

The website will comprise information on current research, links to museums and
other organisations related to the project, news and events
e.g. lectures, and advice on what to do if a museum or
individual finds or is presented with a concealed garment.

The project intends to convey the importance of such objects to the museum
community, the building/construction trade, and to the public. It is intended
that this information (as it will be presented on the internet) will be used as
an educational and learning resource by any party interested in folklore
practices, historic dress and social history. This project, also
aims to demonstrate how a website can be used to make items from disparate
collections (i.e. a variety of heritage organisations) and from private
individuals publically and centrally accessible. In addition to making
documentation available, the content of the website (text and images) will
support the 'virtual' collection by providing information to enhance visitors'
experiences of the site, and propose ideas for further study and exploration of
related subjects.

If any members of these lists are interested in learning more about the project
or have finds or information they would like to contribute, please contact
Charlotte Dew, Documentation Assistant (TCC) or Tehmina Bhote, Project Web
Developer for more information on [log in to unmask]

We would also like to ask for your feedback on the following query: if you were
to be presented with or were to find a textile/rag/piece of cloth/garment or
other object or part that had been found in a building:

a) What would be your first port of call to find out more about it?
b) If you were to use the internet to find out more information, what search
terms would you use?

Many thanks for your time and we look forward to hearing from you!

Tehmina Bhote and Charlotte Dew.
______________________________________
Charlotte Dew, Documentation Assistant
Tehmina Bhote, Project Web Developer

Textile Conservation Centre
University Of Southampton
Winchester Campus
Park Avenue
Winchester
SO23 8DL

Tel: 023 8059 7100
E-mail: [log in to unmask]