Textiles and Stuff 

This is a very good quality antique bonnet in very fine needle run net. the crown of the bonnet which is gathered top and bottom is beautifully embroidered across most of the crown. The brim droops down each side in an elegant and flattering curve. It is trimmed with a length of white braid, which I believe is a later addition, and in fact this could be easily removed as it is only lightly stitched on, to return the bonnet to its original appearance. It seem too heavy to be original and not in period. There is a long length of white tape which is threaded through a number of loops at the back of the neck. Overall the bonnet is in very good condition for its age but there are some very small darns which can be seen in the photographs, and one area of weakness in the net. It would be a valuable addition to a collection, or suitable for period costume.

This is a beautiful example of an 18th Century baby’s bonnet. It is made of very fine linen and has a double layer of material at the brim. The crown is gathered at the back into a circle with the two sides meeting vertically below this with an insert of fine bobbin lace of a Valenciennes type. There is a draw string present in the outer seam of the bonnet, running from the back round the brim,and the two ends of this are visible at the centre back. The bonnet measures 5 inches from front to back laid flat and 6 inches high. The whole bonnet is of course worked by hand in the tiniest of stitches and is in excellent condition. This is a lovely little bonnet, very typical of its period, quite rare, which would make a good example for a collection.

This is a antique square stool dating from the beginning of the 19th Century, which is made in a mixture of woods. It has been newly re-upholstered in traditional materials, The embroidered cover, which was already on the stool, (I cannot say whether it is original) is in a design of a spray of flowers in a square frame on a blue background and the sides are in furnishing velvet. The stool measures 11 inches square and 12 inches high.

This is a delightful little drawstring bag or reticule in silver mesh which probably dates from the first third of the 19th Century. It has a row of small rings at the top with two draw strings to close it, and is decorated at the top with a row of pointed pieces with silver beads and two large round beads,and tiny beads at the base. It measures five and a half inches square, laid flat. It is in excellent condition and a very dainty example of its type.

This is a small reticule or draw string bag dating from the early 19th century. it is almost square in shape, and entirely covered with tiny beads of gold and pearly white in a very simple design of tiny four petalled flowers on a plain ground. It has a fringe of double strings of the same tiny beads and metal rings round the top, through which the silk ribbon is threaded. It is lined in light weight white silk. The outside of the bag is in excellent condition with no damage and the ribbon is intact. The lining is good, except for some wear in several places where it is attached at the top. However this does not detract from its general appearance, which is good. The bag is 5 inches wide and 4.75 inches long, excluding the fringe. A lovely little bag for a collection.

This is a lovely example of an antique early 19th Century (Regency) garnet memorial brooch. It consists of ten garnets set in a gold plated setting, with a central section containing a beautifully woven panel of hair behind bevelled glass or crystal. This central section is surrounded with a decorated frame. It is complete with a strong pin. The garnets are flat cut with claw settings. It measures 2.2 cms wide and 1.8 cms deep. The brooch is in very good condition, there is some wear to the setting on the back due to its great age, but this is not visible from the front. One of the stones has a small chip to it on the inside edge, but this is not obvious as can be seen in the photograph. This would make a lovely gift or be added to an antique jewellery collection.

This is a beautiful and rare example of a silk embroidered apron dating from about 1750. These aprons were never meant to be practical but were a fashionable accessory of the period. The silk is cream in colour and embroidered entirely in gold thread. On it are flowers and sprays in an unusual design, with areas filled in with different stitches, and some couched work. Many of the flowers and leaves are worked in satin stitch, the flowers in star-like shapes which make up a rather strange design. The waist is slightly gathered on to a ribbon waistband and the sides of the apron have a very fine handworked hem. It measures 36 inches (91 cms.) wide by 17 inches (43 cms.) deep. There is very little damage, considering that the apron is over 250 years old. There are several small holes which can be seen in the photographs and the waistband has become separated from the skirt in a section about 2 inches long. This apron in in excellent condition considering its age and would be suitable for a museum or personal collection and a well preserved example of its type.

This is a delightful and very neat little antique Chinese style letter rack, which is decorated with garden scenes, with people sitting or walking about, with chinese lanterns in the trees. It probably tells a traditional story. It has two divisions for letters or papers and a hole in the top of the back to hang it if required. The painted panels are in excellent condition and show no damage. except for the usual slight signs of wear. There has been some sympathetic restoration, new feet have been fitted and one of the original dividers was missing but has been replaced. This is a delightful little letter rack and would look attractive on a desk or dressing table.

This is a lovely example of an antique Victorian cameo shell brooch. It shows the profile of a lady with a wreath on her head of grapes and vine leaves. The cameo is contained in a plaited frame of plain and tooled gold coloured metal, with a long pin typical of the period. I am not certain if this is pinchbeck or rolled gold and there are no marks of any kind. It measures 2 inches high by 1 3/4 inches wide. It is in very good condition and would make a lovely gift or an addition to a jewellery collection. It is displayed in a modern leather padded jewel box, which is included in the price.

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 in pink cotton sateen, with narrow braid at the edge. At the front there is a curved applied panel of floral embroidery in shades of pink, red, blue and green and below this are three silver charms each 4 cms. high, sewn on at the front.edge. At the highest point of the front are attached two wool pompoms in bright magenta and green, on sprung stalks to give movement. The crown of the hat is shaped like a skull cap, which again is finely embroidered with floral motifs, an insect and a Chinese character. At the back of the hat there is a wide brim which curves to a point at the back and this again is profusely embroidered with roundels and floral motifs. There is a wide green tape which is attached to the back half of the hat and hangs down at the back, and is weighted. The hat is lined in red cotton. There is very little wear, and the hat is in excellent condition, the only flaw I can find is a stain on one of the green ties that hangs down the back. The colours are very bright and fresh and the hat would be an interesting example for a collection.

This is a delightful Edwardian teether with a silver rattle attached. The teether is made of some sort of composition and the silver rattle, which is decorated with cherubs, is hallmarked for Birmingham for the year 1909 with the maker’s mark A & L Ld. which I believe is for Adie & Lovekin Ltd., 1894-1927. The ring measures just over an inch in diameter and the rattle is 1 1/2 inches long. There is a length of old silk ribbon attached. This teether is in very good condition and would make an excellent antique gift for a new baby or be added to a collection of silverware.

This is a small antique boy’s coat in cream corduroy, dating from the beginning of the 20th Century. It has a collar of white ermine and is flared from the armholes. It fastens to the side with small hooks and large mother of pearl type buttons fastening with buttonholes. The sleeves have 2 small buttons on the outer edge. It bears the label of Harvey Nicholls, a very famous London retailer. The chest measurement is 27 ins/68 cms. and the length from shoulder to hem is 21 1/2 ins/55 cms. The outside length of the sleeves is 12 ins/30 cms. The only faults I can find are some wear on the fur collar at the back and some faint brown marks on the cuff of the right sleeve, and a faint mark on the lining, which can be seen on the photographs. The coat is in excellent condition and suitable for wearing or display.