KILT
CultureScottish
Datec. 1820s
Dimensions61.5 x 174 cm
Object numberHF.2017.08.16
DescriptionA kilt made from Prince Edward Charles tartan. The inner waistband is cotton lined tartan made of two pieces with two button closure. The left portion of the inner waistband has 4 buttons at the top and the right portion has 3 buttons at the top. On the right side there is also a pair of buttons with a third below. The main waist band is cotton tape. The kilt consists of 11 box pleats that are partially stitched down except the center back the pleats vary in width. There are 5 hand finished button holes on each end of the waist that are widely spaced, all are vertical except the left end. Associated object: HF.2017.08.11.
Narrative
This kilt is thought to have originally belonged to David Stewart who was born 1769 in Ardcheanacrochdon, in Strathgartney near Callender, Scotland. David was a land surveyor and land agent. As early as 1808, David Stewart began purchasing land in Prince Edward Island and by the 1830's, the Stewarts had purchased Lots 7, 10, 12, and 30 as well as parts of Lots 27, 46, and 47. At the time of his death in 1852, David passed along his vast estate of almost 67,000 acres on PEI to his son, Robert, making him the largest resident landholder on PEI. Robert and his family moved to Charlottetown in 1846. In 1863, the family relocated to Strathgartney, their country estate.
The Prince Charles Edward tartan was woven by Wilson's of Bannockburn, a tartan mill which operated from the mid 1700s-mid 1900s. The kilt was likely made in the late 1820s for the 1822 visit of King George IV to Edinburgh. This event is referred to as the "King's Jaunt" and was the first royal visit to Scotland in 150 years, since 1641. Those being presented to King George IV were required to dress in tartan and it is likely that David Stewart had this outfit made special for the occasion.
The Highland Revival style kilt is made of super fine cloth with box-knife pleating and is of standard (25 inch) width. It was likely constructed by Donald Currie, a Scotsman and tailor in London. The interior of the kilt features a cummerbund, which was common in the 1820s.
Collections
