Textiles and Stuff 

This is a very attractive sunshade or parasol, dating I believe from the 1930s in a cotton fabric printed with French type scenes, with market stalls with striped sunshades selling fruit or flowers, people with baskets of flowers and fruit and festoons of leaves and flower sprays. It has a dark cream background and the motifs are brightly coloured. The creases are somewhat soiled and I have not attempted to remedy this. There are two holes, one near the centre near the knob and one on the outer edge, both of which can be seen from the photos but the rest of the fabric seems quite strong. The original elastic fastening is still in position. The elegant handle is in plain light coloured wood. The total length of the parasol is just over 31 inches ( 79 cms.) – a very attractive accessory for a vintage outfit. I send all goods by Royal Mail first class signed for delivery and insurance is included in the postal charge.

This is a small thimble case in fine basket weave with a fitted lid. It is lined in fabric and contains a small metal copper coloured thimble. The thimble fits tightly inside, and has a 4 stamped on the side. It probably dates from the early 20th Century. It measures 1 1/4 inches long and the diameter of the lid is 1 inch. I send all goods by Royal Mail first class signed for delivery and insurance is included in the postal charge.. I will always combine items for posting if you are making more than one purchase.

This is a very elegant Victorian opera cloak from the 1890s made of a fine wool fabric in dove grey, and trimmed with a border of sheared feathers and a handmade couched decoration of silver braid and beading. The shoulders are slightly gathered. It is full length with a generous train at the back which falls in pleats from the edge of the V shaped yoke. The yoke is also trimmed with braid and bead work and there are five long tassels which hang down from it. It is lined with golden yellow silk. There is a tiny pocket inside the front edge, which can been in the last photograph. The measurement across the shoulders is approximately 17 inches (43 cms.) and the front length from top of the shoulder to the hem is 56 inches (142 cms.). The condition of the cloak is very good, but there are a few small moth holes in the wool and the lining has failed in some places. This has been repaired so that the garment can be worn, but this work can easily be removed if the garment is required in its original condition. The overall appearance is excellent considering its age and it is a very elegant and flattering garment.

This is a dinner dress which dates from the early 1930s and is made of black velvet. It is three quarter length and the bodice has darts at the shoulders. The bodice is decorated with two narrow revers which fall from the shoulders and which cross over just above the waist,and decorated with a diamante button. The sleeves are long and straight,and have a slit at the wrist, fastened wlith a small press stud. The skirt is slightly flared and has a half belt which fastens at the back. There is an interesting seam detail of a V shape at the front and back of the bodice where it is joined to the skirt, which can be seen in the third photo. A length of machine lace has been stitched to the inside edges of the neckline, but as this has been only lightly attached, it can easily be removed if desired. The size is a U.K. 38 the actual measurement of the bust is 44 inches, the waist is 42 inches, and the length of the skirt from the waist to the hem is 32 inches, the shoulder length is 5 1/2 inches. All the measurements are made flat. The dress is in very good condition, a very elegant garment and very typical of its period. Please check these measurements carefully with a garment of your own, and feel free to ask questions before buying.

This is a nice example of a small Victorian whatnot, with three shelves supported by hand turned columns, each shelf shaped, with a small inlaid apron. The shelves also have a matching area of inlay. The top shelf is fitted with a fretwork gallery on three sides. The wood is figured, and this matches on all the shelves. The piece is all original with no replacements and with the original finish. Measurements Height 40 1/2 inches Width 21 1/2 inches Depth 13 1/2 inches. Delivery would be possible in a limited area. Please contact me by email or phone.

Just the thing for those chilly party nights over Christmas! This is a very typical shoulder cape from the period 1930 to 1934 which is made from slightly figured cotton light brown velvet. The figuring on the velvet is almost like a very fine tree bark and can only be seen at certain angles. The cape is beautifully tailored, with a pointed back with flared panels attached and the same type of panels at the front with the cape sleeves falling in folds at the sides. The armhole is defined by a narrow band passing under the arm so that it is of very open construction. It is fully lined in a silky fabric.

This is an antique lacquered patchbox made of papier maché in China for the export market and dates I believe from the late 18th or early 19th Century. It is slightly domed especially on the base and is covered all over with black lacquer with a design painted in gold of three figures, one with a parasol. One is seated and the others standing facing him, in a scene portraying a small house and garden trees. The faces and hands are highlighted in pale pink. The box measures 3 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1 1/4 inches deep and the lid and the base are domed.

This is an example of an antique oriental kettle, with a hollow handle and a short spout. It is decorated with a chrysanthemum motif, both on the lid and on the body of the kettle. It has seen much use as can be seen from the photos but the imperfections are part of its history. There are some dents, and the knob on the lid is rather loose. It is a very decorative object and would come up much brighter with cleaning if that is desired, but some prefer this kind of antique with a duller finish. The postage within the U.K. would be £10 by Interparcel Economy. For postage overseas, please contact me by phone or email. I welcome payment by Paypal from all customers, and also accept payment from U.K. customers by personal cheque or postal order. In the case of payment by cheque, despatch of the goods would be made after clearance of the cheque. Please contact me for postal charges.

This is a splendid example of a Bertha collar, which was gathered on to the neckline of a dress, in cream Irish Carrickmacross lace. This lace is part appliqué and part needlework on very fine net. The design is very traditional with sprays of shamrock leaves, ribbon bows and areas of needle weaving. The collar measures 41 inches on the inner neck edge and 77 inches round the outer edge. The depth of the collar is just over 7 inches. The collar is in good condition but there is a stain on the back which can be seen in the fourth photograph. There is also a tiny hole in the net near the edge at the back. This is a stunning example of its type and would grace any collection or period costume. I welcome payment by Paypal from all customers, but would accept payment from U.K. buyers by personal cheque or postal order as well. In the case of payment by cheque, despatch of the goods would take place after clearance of the cheque.

This is a large length of antique hand made Normandy Blonde bobbin lace, made of silk, which is cream in colour. The lace is of the classic Fern design which is repeated throughout the length and the ground is of the simple Lille type. It measures 89 inches (2.26 metres) long and 18 inches (45.5 cms.) wide. The lace is a deep cream colour, but appears much lighter in the photographs. The lace is in excellent condition and the only damage is two small holes near the top edge near one end which can be seen in the last photograph. This is a wonderful example of an extremely wide piece of this antique lace, constructed using hundreds of bobbins at a time, producing a very delicate and light weight fabric. Truly a collector's piece!

ANTIQUE HANDKERCHIEF IN WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY This is a beautiful example of an antique handkerchief, of the Victorian era with extensive whitework embroidery around the edge and in the corners. The design consists of dainty sprays of flowers and leaves and extends on all sides into th e narow border of Valenciennes lace. The name Gertrude is embroidered on one corner. It is pale cream in colour. Ref 6818

This is a beautiful example of a whitework collar from the early nineteenth century, in very fine cotton, embroidered with delicate sprays of mimosa and other flowers and finely pointed leaves, in groups at intervals round the outer edge. The neck edge is finely hemmed and the outer edge is finished with a fine cord and then a minute rolled hem at the edge. The embroidery is slightly raised and looks almost padded and is really exquisite.The collar measures just over 15 inches round the neck edge and the outer edge measures 26 inches, The depth of the collar is 5 inches at the centre back and 7 inches at the front. There are a few very small holes and a small neat darn on the front at the neck edge, 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.