The Harris is home to many wonderful and intriguing collection items that give us a glimpse into the past. Let’s take a look at some of those items in our collection…

This exquisite cameo brooch, dating back to the 1800s or early 1900s, features a stunning oval design crafted from amber and white, likely made from sardonyx. The intricate scene depicts a standing woman alongside a seated man, possibly representing Christ and the Woman of Samaria.

We love this exquisite pair of black silk evening slippers, stitched with a striped black ribbon decoration. Dated between 1840 and 1880, the label inside reads: ‘Shoes sent to pattern by post. By appointment to Her Majesty. Pattison, No. 74 Oxford Street, nearly opposite the Pantheon.’

This pictorial sampler of Jonah and the Whale was created by Margaret Mather in the late 1700s. It illustrates the biblical tale, featuring two men in a ship who dangle a third man overboard, while a large black fish with sharp teeth and a curled tail swims alongside in a stormy sea. The scene is beautifully framed by a floral border adorned with images of angels, bows, hearts, and flowers in the sky.

We adore this fashion plate featuring a woman in a white dress with a red shawl, accompanied by the text ‘Paris, October, 1798’. The woman holds an open book in her left hand, wearing a long, low-cut white dress with short sleeves, complemented by a red shawl draped over her shoulder and tied at the waist. Her look is accessorised with gold pendant earrings, a striking headpiece adorned with a prominent feather, long purple gloves, and white shoes.

This woman’s garment silk textile sample dates back to 1800/1860. It was created in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India and the textile sample can be found in the Textile Manufactures of India, compiled by John Forbes Watson in 1864.