c1860 Selina Pockley

This brown and bronze striped taffeta silk day gown consists of a bodice, bustle skirt and belt with a peplum.   

The bodice has a high crew collar and bow fastenings down the centre of the bodice.  There is an attached lace collar as well as fine cotton inner sleeves which are embroidered and trimmed in lace.

The skirt is floor length, slightly gathered across the front and more fully gathered at the back to allow space for a bustle pad.  These gathers are covered by the peplum of the belt.

A unique feature of the outfit is the separate maternity bodice that has slits to allow for breast feeding.

 

Selina Eliza Antill was born in Picton at the family’s residence Jarvisfield in 1837.  At the age of sixteen Selina married the well-known master mariner Robert Pockley, who was fourteen years her senior.  Known as Kid Gloves Pockley, Robert was regarded as somewhat of a dandy. Two years after their marriage, Robert was appointed Portmaster for the Port of Sydney.  In 1853, Robert built Selina a home – Pictonville - in North Sydney on five acres of land fronting the Pacific Highway near the corner of Berry Street. Selina and Robert had fifteen children, thirteen of whom survived to adulthood.  Selina died in 1924 at the age of 87, having survived Robert by 32 years.