Pearly queen costume skirt. Skirt is knee length, black, with rear waist zipper closure and single kick pleat at back. Skirt is heavily decorated with white buttons made primarily of plastic, sewn on with black thread. The buttons are similar in size and patterned in horizontal lines of three rows interspersed with connected diamond shapes. Inside the diamonds of every other row are large round abalone buttons. The waist band is decorated with interspersed abalone buttons and smaller round or square plastic buttons. The top back of the skirt is undecorated. The kick pleat is also patterned with buttons, and a single heart at bottom centre. The interior of the skirt has a black polyester lining.

Pearly queen costume jacket. Jacket is long sleeved, black, with a two button closure, wide collar and lapels and two waste pockets. Jacket is heavily decorated with white buttons made primarily of plastic, sewn on with black thread. The buttons on the front and arms of the garment are similar in size and patterned in horizontal lines of three rows interspersed with connected diamond shapes. The hem and pockets are covered in slightly larger buttons. A variety of six plastic pins are attached to the jacket front. The collar and lapel are densely covered in buttons of various sizes, some made of abalone shell. A silver medal hangs from the right lapel, stating “Member of Pearly Kings and Queens Assoc.”. On the shoulders are two small “s” shapes in brown and grey abalone buttons. The back of the jacket is less densely covered and states, in buttons, “Pearly Queen of Dulwich” between three crowns. The interior of the jacket is lined in black polyester.

Dance apron with a deer hoof fringe all along the bottom edge. The garment is made of a rectangle of red wool, with a large dip at the bottom centre hem. The front is decorated with thin horizontal lines of fabric sewn to the wool that follow the dip. The top line is black velvet, followed by lines of purple surrounded by blue triangles as well as lines of tan cotton and blue cotton. The back is lined with cotton in tan and checked tan and red. From the apron’s bottom hem hangs a long rawhide fringe with deer hooves attached to each hide strip by thread, tied through a hole bored in the hoof. Many of the hooves have been modified to have a decorative serrated edge. Two small, conical metal bells hang from a fringe on the left side.

Gift of Dr. John H. Finney

Woolen knit sash with a pouch at the end. Long, thin, knit band in alternating colour blocks of grey, red and black. An open topped pouch is attached to one end at its mouth, with a zigzag pattern knit into one side, and lines into the other of the same alternating colours. The opposite end of the band is attached to the pouch’s side with a thick woolen tie. Inside the pouch is a packet (part b) of 11 coins, all Canadian quarters.

String puppet (marioneta) representing the character O Infante Don Henrique (Prince Henry the Navigator, 1394-1460), King of Portugal, dressed in a black felt hat with wide brim and long trailing portion, a long black tunic and a long heavy felt coat with silver buttons, tied at the waist with a black rope. Cuffs are decorated with long lines of small black buttons, while front is closed with large dark silver buttons. Boots are short and pointed. Hands and face are delicately carved and very detailed. The face is lined with wrinkles on cheeks and forehead, a large thick nose protrudes, mouth is pink and slightly open, eyes are painted brown under grey brows. Black hair peeks out from under the hat. Puppet is moved by a wooden control stick, with marionette strings attached to head, shoulders, hands and knees.

String puppet (marioneta) of the character Vasco da Gama. He is richly dressed, with pants and tunic of brocade covered by a knee length cloak of blue velvet edged in fur and a matching hat. His boots are tall, folding over at the knee. A wide, braided belt of leather holds a sheathed wooden sword (part b) painted silver and gold. His face is bearded, and eyes are shiny silver plastic. Hands and face are delicately carved and very detailed. Puppet is moved by a wooden control stick, with marionette strings attached to head, shoulders, hands and knees.

Museum Expedition 1903, Museum Collection Fund