ELY, MARCHIONESS OF
Neg. No: GP (L) 1756A
Neg. Size: 15"x12"
Neg. Date: 08-06-1898

Sitter: Marchioness of Ely, née Margaret Emma Clark (1855-1931); youngest daughter of Frederick Aldrich Clark, of Lynton Court, Sussex; m (1895) John Henry Loftus, 5th Marquess of Ely (1851-1925).

The Marchioness of Ely, née Margaret Emma Clark (1855-1931), was already thirty-nine years old when in 1895 she married John Henry Loftus, 5th Marquess of Ely. The marriage was without issue and her husband’s title passed to his brother.

For the fifth Drawing Room of the season, the Marchioness is seen in this portrait wearing a corsage and petticoat of white brocade, trimmed with Brussels lace and decorated with petunia-coloured chiffon and orchids. Her train is also of rich petunia velvet, lined with satin. She also wears a rather modest diamond and pearl tiara and a pearl choker.

After the death of her husband in 1925, the Marchioness of Ely lived quietly in the modest North Lodge in the grounds of a former royal deer park, Enfield Chase, where she passed away on 1 August 1931.

Biog: Youngest daughter of Frederick A. Clark, of Lynton Court, Sussex; m (1895) John Henry Loftus, 5th Marquess of Ely.

Date: 8 June 1898.

Occasion: The Court, 8 June 1898: presented by Lady Colchester.

Location: The Lafayette studio, 179 New Bond Street, London, W.

Descr: FL standing.

Costume: Court dress.^:

"Train of rich petunia velvet lined with satin, ornamented with orchids; corsage and petticoat of white brocade, trimmed with Brussels lace, petunia coloured chiffon and orchids" (see: The Court Circular, 11 June 1898, p 503).

Costume Supplier: Mesdames Carey and Wall, 3 Brook Street, London, W.

Jewellery: -

Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop; studio Jacobean-revival staircase; studio Persian rug.

Evidence of photographer at work: -

No of poses: 1.

Copyright: V&A

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Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

Biog: Burkes' Peerage.

Occasion: The Times, 9 June 1898, p 7a.

Costume: The Court Circular, 11 June 1898, p 503b; The Gentlewoman, 18 June 1898, p 849a; The Ladies' Field, 25 June 1898, p 58b.

Costume Supplier: The Court Circular, 11 June 1898, p 503b.

Jewellery: -

Reproduced:  (versions) Chic, 3 May 1902, front page; The Ladies’ Field, 16 August 1902, p 11; Lady’s Pictorial, 9 April 1904, p 681; The Tatler, 25 April 1902, front page.