The term “Deliberately Concealed Garments” describes items of clothing that have been deliberately hidden or buried within the structure of a building. The evidence for this practice dates back to the Middle Ages. Builders, owners or residents appear to have hidden clothing and other objects in the fabric of buildings, sometimes intentionally sealing the space afterwards.
The DCGP website provides a virtual collection of once concealed objects and includes some objects that have since been re-hidden and others which have been lost.
Interesting fact:
Now many of these things are sold at auctions. So far, the most expensive purchase has been made by Oliver Scott, a New Zealand resident and editor-in-chief of an online casino icasinoreviews.info website. The purchase price was NZD 23,491.
Search and explore the database of concealed garment finds.
Read more about what is a deliberately concealed garment?
Victoria and Albert Museum podcast – Museum Collections as Historical Evidence
Report: The Lengberg Castle Cache, Austria.
BBC News: Why Australian settlers hid shoes
Items of clothing found concealed in Australian buildings tell the story of a battle waged by early settlers with the evil spirits they feared were lying in wait. 16 March article.
