Textiles and Stuff 

These is an interesting example of a vintage advertising thimble, in a white metal, which is probably aluminium. The thimble which has a blue band at the base, reads “Eat Bermaline Bread” and the internal diameter is 1.5 cms. It is in good condition, of practical use, or a welcome addition to a thimble collection.

This is an early 20th Century hardback copy of the classic Encyclopaedia of Needlework by Th. de Dillmont, published in France by Mullhouse. It is one of the most comprehensive works published and covers articles on Plain Sewing, Mending, Embroidery on White Stuff, Embroidery on Linen, Silk and Velvet, Gold Embroidery, Macrame, Needle Made Laces and many others. It is in excellent condition with gold to the top edges, the only fault being slight yellowing of the edges of the pages. The photographs give only a limited view of the many line drawings, charts, photos and diagrams. The book measures 14 cms. long by 10 cms. wide by 3.5 cms. deep. It is still a wonderful reference book despite its age, a real asset for the crafts person or for an embroidery collection.

This is an antique machine knitted shawl in cream silk, probably dating from the Victorian period. It is very fine and light in weight and knitted in a design of large floral sprays and single sprigs. There is a border of smaller sprays round the edge and it has a fringe of 11 cms. It is almost square in shape and measures approximately 161 cms. x 152 cms. including the fringe. There are a few very small holes in the shawl which can be seen in the photographs but they are not noticeable and the shawl is very warm and light to wear and drapes beautifully.

This is a very attractive little old trinket box, probably Italian, made of metal with a bronze finish, and lined and buttoned on the base in pink silk. it has a design on the lid of three winged cherubs dancing in a ring and round the sides are cartouches containing tiny dragonflies and flowers. The lid snaps shut firmly with a small ball fastening. It is in very good condition for its age and the only faults I can find are a few small dents on the base. It measures 7 cms. long,5 cms. wide and 3 cms. deep. This is a very attractive little box and would make a lovely present, or even be used to contain a very special gift of jewellery!

This is beautiful example of a white work collar in very fine cotton, embroidered with delicate sprays of flowers and finely pointed leaves in a continuous line round the collar. The neck edge is finely hemmed and the outer edge is finished with small points. Some very small tucks have been taken at the centre back and at the sides. The collar measures just over 43 cms.(17 inches) round the neck edge and the outer edge measures approximately 122 cms.(48 inches), The depth of the collar is 16 cms. (6 1/4 inches) at the centre back and 27 cms (10 1/2 inches) at the front. There is a very small hole at the centre back and a small stain on one side which can be seen in the photo, otherwise the collar is in excellent condition. This is a lovely collar and would grace any collection or add authenticity to a period garment.

This is an old embroidered Chinese child’s hat which was made especially for a festival and embroidered by hand. It has a basic cap shape, open at the top, in magenta cotton sateen, with black binding and narrow braid at the edge. The design is of a fierce dragon (or perhaps a tiger) with ears that stick up above the rim of the crown, large bosses for eyes and embroidered wings at the sides. The nose is in the shape of a fish and there are smaller fishes at the sides which all bear up to five “whiskers” or coloured tassels on sprung wires. There are also small blue motifs on springs each side of the nose. All sections are beautifully embroidered in silk and metallic thread. At the back of the hat there is a long panel in magenta satin which hangs down at the back of the neck. The hat is lined in light blue cotton. There is some wear on the lining inside the hat and there is a small slit in the neck of the fish which makes up the nose, but otherwise the hat is in excellent condition for its age and the colours are bright and unfaded. It would make an excellent addition to a collection.

This is a delightful example of a crib lining set dating from the late 18th to early 19th century. it is made from quilted silk and is in three parts. The quilting is very finely done by hand of course and is very even. There is a basic lining for the crib and two other pieces, one with I think curtains and the other an all over cover. They all have silk ribbons to attach them to the crib. Each piece is bound round the edge with the same fabric. In some parts the linings are backed in the same quilted silk, in others with a rather coarse cotton or linen fabric. The measurements are: crib base: 32” x 22” x 14” Top with hanging panels 23” x 37” Shaped section: hood 20” high, 36“ long The work is beautifully done and an unusual survival from this period and a great item for display in a collection or museum.

This is a lovely baby’s dress dating from the 1860/70s, hand made of a fine cotton fabric. the bodice is decorated with elongated diamonds of broderie anglaise and fine pin tucks. This theme is continued in the skirt, which has alternate horizontal panels of broderie anglaise and eight rows of pin tucks running horizontally across the front panel for the full length of the skirt from the waistline to the hem, which is also trimmed with the same broderie anglaise. The robings also in matching broderie anglaise run right from the shoulders of the bodice to the lower hem of the front. The sleeves are short and match the robings. The chest measurement is approximately 20 inches (51 cms.) and the overall length from shoulder to hem is 38 inches (96 cms.). The sleeve measurement is 3 inches (7.5 cms). The dress fastens at the back with tapes which can be used to gather the waist and neck to adjust the size. The dress is in very good condition but there is one small repair where the robing meets the sleeve, a repair on the frill, and also two very small darns on the back of the skirt. This is a lovely hand made dress, typical of the period and one to treasure for that special occasion, a christening or other family occasion.

This is beautiful example of a white work collar in very fine cotton, embroidered with delicate sprays of daisies and other tiny flowers and finely embroidered ferns in swirls at intervals. The neck edge is finely hemmed and the outer edge is finished with a row of fine points Some of the embroidery is slightly raised and looks almost padded and some petals of the daisies are appliqued cotton which is unusual. The collar measures just over 48 cms. (19 inches) round the neck edge. The depth of the collar is 12 cms. (4 3/4 inches) at the centre back and tapers towards the front points. There are a few very small holes and a larger one at the back, which can all be seen in the photograph. This is a lovely collar and would grace any collection or add authenticity to a period garment.

This is an dainty antique baby’s bonnet in cotton hand made lace of a Bedfordshire type, which is gathered at the back to form the crown and is edged with a fine border. The design is very traditional, with a row of large leaves diagonally placed round the brim and at the crown. The neck edge measures just under 9 inches (22 cms.) round, and the measurement round the brim 12 inches (35 cms.). It is in good condition and can be worn, and could be lined. It could be used for a doll, or would be an interesting piece for a collection.

This is a very attractive and unusual pair of curtains in a fine almost transparent black cotton fabric which has been appliquéd with a silky velvet in a design of tall flowers and butterflies in a style reminiscent of the 1930s Art Deco style. There are loops at the top to hang them from a pole and the curtains are 245 cms. long and 105 cms. wide. I find them difficult to date but think they are probably mid 20th Century. They are in excellent condition and would make a stunning feature in a decorating scheme.

This is s sterling silver Edwardian thimble for a child. It is hallmarked for Birmingham for the year 1909, and the maker’s mark J.S is probably for James Swann. The first photograph shows it together with an adult’s thimble (which is not for sale) to give some idea of the size. It is decorated with an intertwining swag round the base with the traditional indentations above. The ring round the base is faceted and it measures 5/8 inch or 1.7 cms. high. It measures 1.1 cms. in diameter inside measurement It is in very good condition, though there are some slight signs of use. These are rarer nowadays and hard to find - a lovely addition to a collection.