"Wigs, Wasicoats and Wild
Behaviour" at the County Muesum
The County Museum at Hartlebury Castle
recently launched their new temporary exhibition 'Wigs, Waistcoats
and Wild Behaviour'. Visitors to the exhibition can find out all
about the elegant fashions, extravagant tastes and wild behaviour
of the Georgians.
The exhibition has been evolving since it
opened last month and this week saw the addition of the final
object, an 18th century pair of shoes, to complete the
costume area of the exhibition. The shoes are a beautifully
detailed pair of ladies buckle shoes, they are made of silk with
silver metal brocade and are from the 1740s.
The new exhibition is a rare chance to see
some of the older items in the Museum's costume collection (from
the 1760s-1780s) which are usually kept in store. These include
brocade gowns and embroidered bodices, silk waistcoats and a richly
decorated man's court suit as well as a selection of accessories
and sewing materials.
In addition to costume original objects on
display include the pelmet from a bed custom made for Prince
George's visit to the Castle, a pair of rare and fascinating
library globes from 1740, a beautifully illustrated botanical book
from Bishop Hurd's Library and a stunning, but delicate, Sedan
Chair.
To illustrate the Georgian's obsession with
taking tea there is also a display of Worcester-made
18th century Royal Lily design porcelain, chosen by
Queen Charlotte for her personal breakfast service.
Information around the exhibition helps
visitors to discover the wild ideas and behaviour which fuelled the
Georgians extravagant taste. Visitors can also get hands on by
designing their own Georgian library or trying a Georgian make
over.
Rachel Robinson,
Museums Worcestershire's Visitor Experience Manager said:
"We are really pleased with our new exhibition this year as it
allow us to showcase some of our older and more unique items from
the collection. King George III himself visited Hartlebury and was
a great friend of Bishop Hurd, and we are very happy to be
able to display unique items in this new exhibition such as a book
from Hurd's own library, which could have been one of those donated
by the King, and a section of the bed built for a visit by the
Price Regent. This really is a great chance to see some unusual
period objects and some beautiful costume."
After visiting the exhibition visitors can
also enjoy looking around the Castle's Georgian Saloon which is
original to the period (open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and
all event days and activity weeks from now until the end of
September).
The exhibition is open during all normal
museum hours from now until the end of the year and is included in
the normal Museum admission price. Admission to the museum costs £5
for adults, £2.50 for concessions and £13 for a family ticket (two
adults and two children).
To find out more by call the museum on 01299
250416; visit: http://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/
