A Mariano Fortuny rose pink silk Peplos dress, 1920, the integral tunic and edges weighted with grey-blue iridescent Murano glass beads, multi-size; together with a copy of the original invoice shows that this gown cost £550 in 1920 (2) Provenance for lots 55 to 58 These Fortuny garments originally belonged to Lady (Charlotte) Bonham Carter (1893-1989). Charlotte was the daughter of Colonel William Ogilvy and Lucy (nee Wickham). The 'Mrs L Ogilvy' listed as making the Fortuny purchases 14th June, 1920 from the Palazzo Orfei is Charlotte's mother. Charlotte would have been 27 at the time. In 1926 Charlotte married Sir Edgar Bonham Carter, KCMG, CIE (1870 - 1956). She chose to wear this dress to have her portrait painted in 1978 by Peter Greenham. See Tate Gallery, http://bit.ly/1PkU6VF, for an image of the painting.

Fair - poor condition. The dress has discoloured to yellow from heat and perspiration on the inside of the bodice and front neck edge, fading and slackening of pleats at both underarms, there is fading over the shoulders, there is 'bagging' front and back in the seat area as it has been worn both ways round. The trained rear hem has been folded back and tacked up, it is heavily soiled. There are numerous small stains along the perimeter of the hem, soiling, small splits in the silk. Yellow discolorations generally over tunic. Beads are generally intact.