I have a picture of an archery painting entitled "Loosing" [a line engraving] after 'G. E. Hicks' and engraved by W. H. Summers that was published by B. Brooks in 1868. It shows a woman at full draw and hanging from the belt on her waist appears to be a skirt guard or contraption designed to keep the dress from interferring with her shooting. Was this a common accessory for women at that time? I don't recall seeing it in any other archery painting or print of this era.

David,

I am not sure of the picture you mention but there is one I know of which shows a Victorian lady at full draw, standing in front of a target. She is wearing the guard you mention. it was called an "anti-aeolian" There were lead weights covered in the leather at the bottom of each strap. In the Royal Toxophilite house is a copy of the painting and in a cabinet there just ONE lead weight.

Administrator

Just a brief addition. Besides its practical application, it was essentially a device for ensuring modesty at a time when even the sight of an ankle was enough to inflame masculine passion.

Thank you very much for this information. Since I am not sure how to post photos, I have sent a photo of the print to Hugh. It would appear to be the same print that you mention. It's interesting that the accessory even has a name -"anti-aeolian", which I interpret to mean "against the wind"?

Can't overlook "modesty" -- perhaps this issue may have been more important to some ladies than assisting them in achieving a better score.

I have a number of prints showing women shooting archery, but I don't recollect any that show this interesting piece of ladies equipment in use.

Are you aware of any other prints or photos showing this piece of equipment in use?

In the picture of "stringing" you sent to Hugh the second lady wearing a cream skirt and green top is dressed almost identically to the one shooting and wearing the anti-aeolian which we have on our wall - except that her hat feather is red and our lady's feather is white.

If I can find it I will send you a picture of me wearing such a costume - although I never was able to get anyone to make me the anti-aeolian

I know of no other image showing such a thing, although I believe there may have been some advertisements for them somewhere.

It might be interesting to google the word - that will put Google into a flat spin !


Administrator

It is interesting that you spotted a likeness in dress between the second lady in the print ["Archery Practice - Stringing"] wearing the cream skirt and green top and the woman in the print "Loosing" wearing the "anti-aeolian" accessory. Hugh Soar in an e-mail noted that he spotted a likeness between the young person in the black costume in the painting "Archery Practice - Nocking" and the lady in the print "Loosing" wearing the "anti-aeolian" accessory. This is intriguing! I am going to discuss this further under the topic "Archery Paintings by G. E. Hicks" found under the Forum heading "Books, Prints & Manuscripts".

On the point of googling the word "anti-aeolian" -- I did it and was only able to deduce "against the wind". I don't think that Google has captured this word yet.

I would enjoy seeing your costume.