Beetle wing dress

Victorian,Highlands

This gorgeous dress was made in India, but has connections with the Highlands. It belonged to Barbara Morrison, who had been born in Inverness. She married a William FitzHenry in Jersey in December 1856, a Colour Sergeant with the 60th Regiment of Foot. They travelled to India together where the Regiment was stationed at Bellary Fort between 1867 and 1872. The dress is made from a lightweight cotton fabric and is beautifully embellished with silk embroidery and beetle wings. These wings from the elytra of the jewel beetle have been used for centuries in the highly elaborate embroideries of the far east. The soldiers wives would have commissioned dresses be made in the western fashion as this one is.

Material: cotton, silk, beetle wings

Size: Diam 1550 mm

Sources: West Highland Museum