{"product_id":"rare-edwardian-1911-maternity-underwear-lady-gillman-provenance","title":"Rare Edwardian 1911 Maternity Underwear – Lady Gillman Provenance","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdwardian Maternity Underwear, ca. 1911 — Extremely Rare Ensemble\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Remarkable Survival of Edwardian \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaternity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Garments\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis exceptionally rare set of \u003cstrong\u003eEdwardian maternity underwear\u003c\/strong\u003e, dating to \u003cstrong\u003earound 1911\u003c\/strong\u003e, consists of \u003cstrong\u003etwo pairs of lace‑trimmed drawers\u003c\/strong\u003e and a matching \u003cstrong\u003ebodice\/corset cover\u003c\/strong\u003e. During careful draping and examination, it became clear that these garments were specifically designed for \u003cstrong\u003epregnancy\u003c\/strong\u003e, making them an extraordinary and seldom‑seen example of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eEdwardian maternity wear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. Surviving pieces of this type are almost never encountered in private collections or museums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ensemble aligns precisely with the life of \u003cstrong\u003eLady Gillman\u003c\/strong\u003e, born Caroline Grace Elizabeth Rube, whose \u003cstrong\u003efirst son Herbert Webb Gillman\u003c\/strong\u003e was born in \u003cstrong\u003e1911\u003c\/strong\u003e. Herbert later became a respected figure within the Gillman family line; his birth marked the beginning of Lady Gillman’s life as a mother within a household shaped by military prestige and Edwardian social refinement. These garments, preserved in her family trunk, likely belonged to this intimate chapter of her life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFine Details and Condition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe underwear set is made of soft white cotton, decorated with \u003cstrong\u003edelicate lace\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003etiny ribbon accents\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal buttons\u003c\/strong\u003e, all still present. The \u003cstrong\u003elace and ribbons remain intact\u003c\/strong\u003e, a rare survival given the fragility of such materials. All garments show \u003cstrong\u003ediscoloration\u003c\/strong\u003e, consistent with age. The underwear would need to be washed. A few seams are open — these can be \u003cstrong\u003eeasily repaired\u003c\/strong\u003e — and one pair of drawers shows a \u003cstrong\u003esmall historic repair\u003c\/strong\u003e. Overall, the set remains in \u003cstrong\u003egood condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, remarkable for its age and purpose.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs maternity garments were worn privately and often discarded after use, their survival is extremely uncommon. This ensemble offers a rare glimpse into the personal, domestic world of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eEdwardian women\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e and their lived experiences during pregnancy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: Lady Gillman (Caroline Grace Elizabeth Rube, 1883–1956)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLady Gillman — born \u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Grace Elizabeth Rube\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1883 — belonged to a London family whose social world touched the edges of the British royal household. As the daughter of \u003cstrong\u003eCharles Ernest Rube\u003c\/strong\u003e, a well‑connected merchant of \u003cstrong\u003eBelgrave Square\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eKate Rimer\u003c\/strong\u003e, a close friend of \u003cstrong\u003eQueen Mary\u003c\/strong\u003e, Elizabeth grew up in an environment shaped by Edwardian elegance, philanthropy, and aristocratic sociability. Her mother’s friendship with Queen Mary was well known: the two women reportedly went antique hunting together, with the Queen expecting the shopkeeper to “donate” whatever object she fancied — a family anecdote illustrating the mixture of privilege and informality that characterised their relationship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElizabeth’s first marriage, in 1904, was to \u003cstrong\u003eLeopold Stratford George Canning\u003c\/strong\u003e, 4th Baron Garvagh. The union was annulled in 1909 on the grounds of non‑consummation. Canning later became known for founding the \u003cstrong\u003eBritish Fascisti\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1923, a detail that retrospectively casts a shadow over the earlier aristocratic alliance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e1911\u003c\/strong\u003e, Elizabeth married \u003cstrong\u003eGeneral Sir Webb Gillman\u003c\/strong\u003e, KCB, KCMG, DSO — a distinguished officer whose career spanned several major imperial campaigns. Through this marriage she became \u003cstrong\u003eLady Gillman\u003c\/strong\u003e, entering a world of military prestige and international service. The birth of her son \u003cstrong\u003eHerbert Webb Gillman\u003c\/strong\u003e that same year situates this maternity underwear precisely within her personal timeline.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique Gown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62657587806595,"sku":null,"price":490.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0913\/1897\/6899\/files\/03-antique-maternity-garments-1911.jpg?v=1790007869","url":"https:\/\/www.antique-gown.com\/products\/rare-edwardian-1911-maternity-underwear-lady-gillman-provenance","provider":"ANTIQUE GOWN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}