Ensemble, dress ensemble

This dress was worn by Lady Benson at the Delhi Durbar. This spectacular event was held to commemorate the visit of the newly crowned King George V to India in 1911. The dress has a separate bodice and skirt. The front panel of the skirt and band of the bodice are embroidered with a design from the carving on the Red Stone Palace built for Mariam Bibi. The bodice is decorated with lace made by Indian women taught by Christian missionaries.

Lady Benson, née Fanny Catherine Alice Gilbert-Cooper, was the daughter of Rev. Wiliam Wrighte Gilbert-Cooper, MA, Vicar of Burwash Wall (Sussex), appointed assistant chaplain in Madras in 1855. In 1876 Fanny Gilbert-Cooper married Sir Ralph Benson (1851-1920), educated at Trinity College, Dublin and called to the Bar, Middle Temple in 1887. Sir Ralph was Registrar at the High Court, Madras in 1885 and held several other important positions in India. From 1896 to 1913 he was Puisne Judge at the High Court in Madras. The couple lived in Doveton House, Madras, before they left India in 1913. Lady Benson received the Kaiser-i-Hind medal, awarded between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj.