Textiles and Stuff 

This is beautiful example of a white work collar in very fine cotton, embroidered with delicate sprays of mimosa and other flowers and varied leaves in groups at intervals round the outer edge. The neck edge is finely hemmed and the outer edge is finished with a border of handmade lace at the edge. The embroidery is slightly raised and looks almost padded and is really exquisite. The collar measures 38 cms/15 inches round the neck edge and the outer edge measures 78 cms/approx. 31 inches, The depth of the collar is 22 cms/8.5 inches inches at the centre back and 29 cms/11.5 inches at the front. The collar has been later attached to a yoke of net to eliminate stitching it to a garment in the style of a filler. This could easily be unpicked if desired. There are a two holes on the front at the neck edge one on each side, which can all be seen in the penultimate photograph and one in the net yoke. This is a lovely collar and would grace any collection or add authenticity to a period garment.

This is a lovely pair of antique ladies ice skates in brown leather. The blades are labelled “ St Moritz, Hudora, Fagan Foreign Make, Finest Quality Steel” and the boots are “Genuine Hotspur Brand”. They date probably from the Victorian or Edwardian era. The condition of the leather is excellent and they are certainly wearable. I can see faintly printed inside S36 which would make them a UK size 4 and they certainly look that size. They are in very good condition, there is slight discolouration on the blades on one side and they would need new laces if they are to be worn but apart from this they are in very good condition.They would be excelllent for display.

This is an attractive and rare pair of antique glove stretchers made of wood, probably beech, dating from around the 1890s to Edwardian times. They are made in three sections which was to facilitate their use in drying gloves after washing. Leather gloves were difficult to wash and tend to shrink and crinkle, so these stretchers were inserted to keep their shape as they dried. They both have turned handles and are made in three sections which slide in separately into the gloves. They are in excellent condition, except that, as can be seen in the last photo, one section on the left hand does not slide out and I am reluctant to force it. They would make a welcome addition to a collection of treen or articles in domestic use during this period.

This is an antique wooden clamp used for winding wool, silk or cotton for knitting, embroidery, crochet, and tatting, dating from the first half of the 19th Century. They sometimes came in pairs and were used to hold the skein while a ball was wound by hand. It is nicely turned with a boxwood finial in the shape of an acorn at the top. It is in very good condition, but of course with the usual signs of wear. The wooden screw although antique is probably not the original. The winding clamp measures 26 cms. long with the screw fastened tight and 8 cms, wide at the widest part. These clamps are less seen these days.

This is a antique Victoriam Continental sewing sampler, probably French or Belgian, a schoolgirl's work in strong cotton fabric probably calico. On the front are embroidered a monogram, VF with a small cross which may be a symbol for a convent and the pupil's name embroidered on the corner "H. Jonker 3e Cours". It is beautifully made with the tiniest of stitches and measures 30 cms. long by 19 cms. wide. The first page features run and fell seams and hemming, the second examples of scalloping, herringbone and feather stitch and three seams joined edge to edge with minute stitches. The third page has examples of buttonholes, eyelets and needle worked loops, feather stitch and examples of french seams. The last page is of even weave linen embroidered in red with an alphabet and numbers. Underneath these are two examples of darning. The page is edged with a hem in simple drawn thread work. This sampler dates from the beginning of the 20th Century and is a simple example of what school children were expected to produce - work of a very high standard, teaching them a skill which would be useful to them as adults, either in the home or to earn a living, and would be an important addition to a sample collection.

This is a delightful antique Victorian work or jewel box with an inlaid chevron design of many different varieties of wood. it has been sympathetically restored and can now be used for jewellery or small articles of value. It has a small mirror in the lid and a lift out tray with velvet lining. The box measures 25 cms. long 18 cms. wide and 11.5 cms deep. This is an very attractive box and would make an ideal Christmas gift.

This is a lovely example of a Victorian bodice for a young girl dating from the 1860s. It is made of fine cream silk and is fitted to t he waist, with a low neckline. It is shaped with darts and the upper part is gently padded. It is fully lined in cotton and boned at the front and centre back, which was fastened with lacing with small eyelet holes. The lacing cord is not present. The sleeves are lined and the outer layer is ruched silk to give volume. They are gathered on to a band of darker silk with a frill of silk underneath. The armholes are defined with piping. The bodice is trimmed both at the neck edge and round the sleeves with bobbin lace of a Bedfordshire type. The condition is really excellent - there are no faults in the fabric and no signs of wear, which is most unusual in a garment of such an age.

This is a beautiful Japanese Obi in silk with a design of peonies and other flowers in soft shades of orange, cream and lilac with drums and square panels on one side and a design of large flowers against a trellis on the other, all on a deep cream background. The details of some of the flowers have been highlighted with satin stitch and beading as can be seen in the photos. The Obi measures 77 ins/195 cms. by 12 ins/30 cms. The Obi is in excellent condition, but is a little soiled along the edges as are the socks, but I am sure this can easily be cleaned. Also with the Obi is a pad, a pair of traditional Japanese socks with divided toes, and a small fan with wooden and bone sticks. The leaf is fabric and painted with a lady with a parasol. This is lovely and elegant example of Japanese costume accessories and is for wearing with a kimono.

This is an old hand embroidered Chinese child’s hat which was made especially for a festival and embroidered by hand. It has a basic cap shape in maroon silk satin, with narrow braid at the edge. The top of the hat is decorated with an embroidered open flower, inside which is a small figure juggling. On either side of this are two four-petalled flowers on springs which give them movement. The crown of the hat is decorated with leaf and petal shapes each individually embroidered with flowers and insects. The fabric of the hat has been cut away between these shapes. At each side there is an embroidered bird which holds a pair of tassels in pink and green which hang down on each side. There is a brass “jewel” with a stone at the centre front and there may have been two others which are now missing. The hat is lined in pink printed cotton in a floral design. The hat is in excellent condition overall and there is very little sign of wear. The colours are very bright and fresh and the hat would be an interesting example for a collection.

This is a vintage example of the Japanese national flag. it is made of wool, and measures 89 x 46 cms (35 x 18 inches). This flag which signified the Land of the Rising Sun, seems to be used mainly by the military now and has been superceded by a white flag with a red disc in the centre. The position of the sun off centre indicates maritime use. There are a few tiny holes, but these do not detract from the appearance too much and are to be expected in flags of this age. The colours are excellent and unfaded, There is a string at one side enclosed in white tape for attaching to a pole. This flag in in great condition and would serve on a small boat, or as a furnishing accessory in a variety of situations, home, halls, clubs and so on.

This is a good example of a vintage Australian flag in cotton, which measures 34 x 24 inches, with a string inside the short side to attach it to a flagpole. This is the Civil or Red Ensign which was flown between 1901 to 1954 by municipalities or private citizens on land. It is decorated with the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the five stars of the constellation the Southern Cross. It is fairly uniformly faded and has some marks due to age and some small holes where the string is attached. It would be a great addition to a collection, or would serve as a furnishing accessory in a variety of situations, home, halls, clubs and so on.

This is a beautiful and very versatile spray of designer flowers in felt, enhanced with colour, in the form of Zantedeschia. The stems are softly wired so that they can be manipulated into various different shapes. The large flowers are up to 6 inches long and the whole spray measures 56 inches when extended. This is a wonderful spray of flowers which will have many uses, in display, craft work, designing costume and many others. It is in excellent condition.