Textiles and Stuff 

This is a nicely decorated hair comb probably made of celluloid or tortoise shell. It is curved and decorated with three rows of diamante stones fixed by tiny pins. It has eight prongs. It has an indented mark "non-inflammable". It dates from the early 20th century, when women's hair was still worn in a romantic loose coil or a chignon. The condition is excellent and this would make a wonderful Christmas present!

This is an interesting and rare example of a damask tablecloth with the date and name of the owner woven into the fabric. In a banner feature is the inscription: “M. Ranworth 1822”. The whole cloth is covered in a beautiful design of a vine and grapes, and flying within this are exotic birds with long tails. It measures approximately 170 cms. (67 inches) square and is in good condition except for a small hole measuring 1 cm x 1.5 cms. which can be seen in the photograph, and a few small light brown marks. This is an unusual find for a collection or museum.

This is a lovely example of a Chinese embroidery sold probably for use as a bedspread, dating from the 1930s. it is unused, the hems not made up and the colours are as bright as new. It is made of cream silk satin and embroidered in silk in shades of dark red, cerise, white and several shades of pink. It shows two groups of geese among the reeds of a lake. It measures 163 cms by 142 cms. The condition generally is very good, the only flaws I can find are several very small brown marks near the top group of reeds, which can be seen in the last photo. This would make a lovely bedspread, wall hanging or curtain.

This is a small antique handkerchief in fine almost sheer cotton, with a scalloped border. It is embroidered in black and white with small flower sprays, and is I think intended for use during a period of mourning, as was customary in Victorian times. It measures almost 14 inches (35 cms.) square. It is in very good condition and would be an unusual addition to a collection.

This is a beautiful example of a cotton handkerchief in what is commonly described as Appenzell work, embroidery on cotton in very fine stitches in flowers and swirls. There are a variety of stitches, including satin stitch, pulled thread and french knot, and the edge is scalloped. The drawn on design can still be seen as the handkerchief is unused. This type of embroidery is a famous Swiss type but it is difficult to say where this particular piece was made, It could be Swiss or Asian. However the standard of workmanship is very high indeed. The handkerchief measures 30 cms (approx 12 inches) square. This is a lovely piece and valuable for a collection, or indeed for bridal wear - an heirloom! Postage to the U.K. is free, to the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Asia £9 and the E.U. £8.

This is a pair of vintage riding breeches by the well known tailors Bernard Weatherill. They are made of a heavy weight woollen fabric with suede reinforcement and six small buttons and laces at the leg. They have a fall flap opening. Measurements: Waist (measured flat) 60 cms. Inside leg to edge of buttoned section 49 cms. There are a few very small faults, one of the small buttons at the leg is missing and there are a few places where there are very small snags on the fabric but overall they are in excellent condition and have plenty of wear in them.

These are some lengths of Victorian Hat Ribbon. it is woven in a width of just under 9 inches wide in a design of orange and purple flowers on a cream background, in ikat weave silk. There are several pieces, one piece of the full width 1 metre long, another full width 54 cms. long and one fragment 12 cms wide and 72 cms. long. It has not been used, but is showing a few signs of its age, some very small holes and imperfections. Nevertheless the colours are very fresh and it would be usable for trimming a period hat.

This is beautiful example of a white work collar in very fine cotton, embroidered with delicate sprays of flowers and finely pointed leaves in groups at intervals round the collar. The neck edge is finely hemmed and the outer edge is finished with small points which are the ends of narrow embroidered panels of two different designs. The collar measures just over 53 cms.(21 inches) round the neck edge and the outer edge measures approximately 125 cms.(49 inches). The depth of the collar is 15 cms. (6 inches) at the centre back and 29 cms (11 1/2 inches) at the front. There are a few very small holes at the centre back probably where a pin was inserted and a some tiny holes on the front near the neck edge, which can all be seen in the photographs. This is a lovely collar and would grace any collection or add authenticity to a period garment.

This is a vintage wooden box made of solid rosewood. It has brass recessed brass handles at the sides and lock, but no key. The inside is divided into two sections and the base of the inside lined in green felt. It measures 39 cms long by 25 cms. wide and 24.5 cms. deep. Overall it is in excellent condition, but there was a fine crack in the lid which has been repaired. This is a very heavy box as it is solid rosewood and would cost about 11.50 by courier. Despatch abroad would I think be very expensive.

This is a very attractiveand elegant lady’s dress dating from the early 20th Century, made in white cotton broderie anglaise. The bodice fastens centrally with press studs (a later addition) with a very wide shawl collar and a stand up collar. It is slightly gathered at the waist. The sleeves fall fairly straight and have wide cuffs fastened with a hook and worked bar. The skirt has a wide panel of broderie anglaise at the front which extends at the hem right round the back in a wide border. The front panel fastens on the left side with a hook and bar. The peplum is attached at the back and opens at the front. Both the peplum and the skirt are gathered at the back, which suggests that the dress may have been worn with a small bustle. Measurements: Bust measured flat: 96 cms. (37.75 inches) Outside sleeve: 61cms. (24 inches) waist: 71 cms (28 inches) Length from shoulder to hem: 143 cms. (56.5 inches) Shoulder length 15 cms. (6 inches) Waist to hem 103 cms. (40.5 inches) The dress is in good used condition and strong enough to wear for a period event or theatre costume. There are a few very small repairs which are not noticeable including a join in the collar. There are also a few faint stains on the fabric as is often the case but these are not a major consideration.

This is a most attractive antique Edwardian evening skirt. It is made of black transparent fabric with an integral petticoat in black silk with a frill at the hem. The skirt is flared slightly from the waist and the godets which have been let in to the base of the skirt are decorated with ten horizontal frills in the same fabric and then outlined with a narrow black velvet ribbon threaded through a length of black lace. Each skirt panel is also outlined vertically in the same way with black velvet and lace. There is a large velvet bow stitched on vertically at the waist. The skirt fastens at the back with a placket with hooks and eyes. The measurements (taken flat) are as follows:- Length waist to hem: 41 inches Waist : 27 inches Hips: 44 inches This skirt is in good condition, very wearable for a period event or a theatre production, and a very flattering design.

This is a beautiful sari, dating I believe from the 1930s, which is made from fine silk, in turquoise and red shades, and with a woven brocaded design in golden thread typical of Varanasi in northern India. It has the traditional wide border at one end, which has a design of botehs and carnations and other motifs from Indian embroidery. The main part of the sari is decorated with rows of small flowers, and the long edge has a gold border 6 1/2 inches wide. The fabric is quite heavy because of the amount of gold thread. The measurements are: Length 6 yds. 24 inches Width 45 inches. This is a truly elegant and magnificent sari, in excellent condition and suitable for a very special occasion or a collection of Indian textiles.