Another interesting kilt

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 11th February 11, 11:57 AM

It doesn't look like the top was cut away, rather folded under. I can make out the crease line where the cloth has been folded back. I'm guessing it might have been an adjustment for someone with a narrow waist.

I can't tell from the photo, Peter, is this knife pleated or narrow box pleats? Do you know the amount of cloth used, and approximate age of the kilt?

**figheadair** · 11th February 11, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

It doesn't look like the top was cut away, rather folded under. I can make out the crease line where the cloth has been folded back. I'm guessing it might have been an adjustment for someone with a narrow waist.

I can't tell from the photo, Peter, is this knife pleated or narrow box pleats? Do you know the amount of cloth used, and approximate age of the kilt?

I don't think that the leather strap is original and so it, and the altered apron, may have been a later amendment.

It's what Bob Martin would call a box-knife in that the box is of an uneven depth more like a series of flattened fish hooks with each box lying on the shaft of the previous. 21 pleats. I can't remember the amount of loth but I'd guess about 5 yds. It's in the STA collection so I can check. As to age, well, the cloth is Wilsons' c1830-40 and if pushed I'd say the kilt was toward the latter end so 1840-45ish.

**Downunder Kilt** · 11th February 11, 01:36 PM

Another great find Peter. You said that it was in the STA collection. Does this mean that the STA has "undiscovered" items in storage just waiting for someone to get to them, such as your good self or was this a recent aquisition?

**figheadair** · 11th February 11, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Another great find Peter. You said that it was in the STA collection. Does this mean that the STA has "undiscovered" items in storage just waiting for someone to get to them, such as your good self or was this a recent aquisition?

Boxes of 'undiscovered' stuff. I had my hands on several early C18th fragments yesterday which really made my day.

Oh, and on Thursday I looked at another collection and found a number of early Wilsons' pieces including a Regency jacket and a Gordon (red/old) plaid made from their Old Superfine cloth c1780. It's been quite a week.

**BoldHighlander** · 11th February 11, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Boxes of 'undiscovered' stuff. I had my hands on several early C18th fragments yesterday which really made my day.

Oh, and on Thursday I looked at another collection and found a number of early Wilsons' pieces including a Regency jacket and a Gordon (red/old) plaid made from their Old Superfine cloth c1780. It's been quite a week.

Sounds like a dream job, Peter!

Thanks for sharing these great finds!

**David White** · 11th February 11, 04:27 PM

Wonder Peter!
I enjoying the discussion's and photographs about the early kilts.
thank you,
dave

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 11th February 11, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

I don't think that the leather strap is original and so it, and the altered apron, may have been a later amendment.

It's what Bob Martin would call a box-knife in that the box is of an uneven depth more like a series of flattened fish hooks with each box lying on the shaft of the previous. 21 pleats. I can't remember the amount of loth but I'd guess about 5 yds. It's in the STA collection so I can check. As to age, well, the cloth is Wilsons' c1830-40 and if pushed I'd say the kilt was toward the latter end so 1840-45ish.

Based on your description of the pleats as well as the photo, I'd agree that 1840s seems a likely date.

I bet you are having a blast going through all those boxes. :-) Wish I were there!

**figheadair** · 11th February 11, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Based on your description of the pleats as well as the photo, I'd agree that 1840s seems a likely date.

I bet you are having a blast going through all those boxes. :-) Wish I were there!

It's not just the STA, there's stuff literally everywhere if you know where to look and have the time. Unfortunately this is a work of love as you know and there's no money to support research. That said, the past week has given me enough to keep me busy for the next few months. The highlights have included finding the:

Earl of Sutherland kilt
Two more arisaid/blanket pattern plaids
Regency waistcoat - MacFarlane
Regency coat - also MacFarlane but unrelated to the waistcoat
Portions of seven C18th plaids
Going over the c1810-15 Duke of Sussex's outfit - must post some pictures. (what a sporran - leopard skin with gold, precious and semi-precious stones)
A large Wilsons' Red Gordon plaid c1780
An unusual C18/19th narrow plaiding piece, probably Wilsons', and only 13" wide.

There's just so much to do and unfortunately so little interest here in researching and preserving these artefacts in one place rather than them being spread throughoout the country and often kept in the most appalling conditions.

**figheadair** · 15th February 11, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Based on your description of the pleats as well as the photo, I'd agree that 1840s seems a likely date.

I bet you are having a blast going through all those boxes. :-) Wish I were there!

Took a whole load more pics today, inside and out, for Bob Martin.

There are 21 pleats, the cloth is 25" selvedge to sevedge with the W & Y in silk so c1820-50. Total cloth 5yds 14".