Textiles and Stuff 

This is a lovely set of Edwardian hat pins in their fitted box, labelled with the trade mark of “Perfectus Pins”. The heads which are of mother of pearl and diamante are detachable and there are two long pins and one shorter one,all with thread fittings, to give variety of length. The box is lined with satin and velvet and covered on the outside with blue leather which is in excellent condition. There is some discolouration and pitting on the pins which can be seen in the photographs but the hatpins are in very good condition for their age. These belong to the era when letters were written to “The Times” to complain of the dangers of long hatpins to other passengers who were travelling on the Underground in London!

This is a beautiful traditional 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 and is suitable for wearing with a kimono.

This is a antique Victorian banner dating from the 1870s, probably from a fire screen, which is beautifully worked in beads in shades of blue, black, grey and white against a background of red needlepoint. The design is a traditional floral one with a bouquet of oriental poppies in the centre and flowers at the sides resembling convolvulus intertwined with long thin leaves. The banner is edged with a red and white cord and there is a cord at the top to hang it, decorated with red and white tassels. The lower edge is fringed and the whole banner backed in rust coloured silk. The banner is quite large and measures 21 inches long, (excluding the fringe) and 17.5 inches wide. The banner is in very good condition for its age, but there are a few places where a few of the woollen stitches are missing, namely at the very top next to the cord, two very small areas on the right hand border and two tiny ones on the centre about 3 inches from the top. The lining has a few small holes as can be seen from the photos.

This is a short vintage apron in white cotton with inserts and frill of crochet, with cotton tape ties. The bands of crochet alternate with bands of three rows of pin tucks, and there is a chevron edged trim at the bottom hem. The waistband is trimmed with a length of broderie anglaise with slots for ribbon to be inserted. The apron measures 20 inches/51 cms. in length and 33 ins./84 cms. wide. It is in good condition and very wearable.

This is a lovely summer skirt from the late 19th Century, which is made from a firm cotton fabric in candy stripes of pink and white which are 1/4 inch/0.6 cms. wide on a blue background. It is tailored at the front to give a fairly flat effect and the back is gathered fully to fit over a bustle. There is also a deep pocket on the right hand side and the bottom hem is a separate piece of fabric of the same pattern. The skirt is fully lined in a firm white cotton fabric and the hem of the lining is an 11 inch deep section of the dress fabric. The waistband has several buttonholes in it, for attachment to a blouse. Measurements Waist (measured flat) 23 ins, with hooks and eyes to increase this by half an inch, Front Length 42 1/2 inches The skirt is in excellent condition, very strong and wearable, and the only faults I can find are a couple of brown marks, one near the bottom (faint) and the other on the hem, both of which can be seen in the third photo and a slight difference in colour strength between the applied hem section and the rest of the skirt.

This is a delightful petticoat in cotton dating towards the end of the 19th Century. It is full length, with a double frill of crochet, and the lower section made with vertical pleats and panels of crochet to match the frills. It has a draw string round the waist which makes the waist adjustable. An additional feature of the petticoat is the gathering tape at the back of the skirt which pulls together the lower back section to wear with a dress with a bustle. The measurements are length 34 ins/86.4 cms, waist 44 ins./112 cms. fully extended, but meant to be gathered up to fit the wearer. There is some wear at the waistline and the fabric is a little thin, but otherwise it is in very good wearable condition. There is a very slight colour variation in that the lower section of the frill is a very pale blue colour, perhaps due to an over use of the blue dolly bag when it was laundered all those years ago! There are also some small repairs to the crochet in the frill but these are not significant. This is a lovely petticoat and very wearable with a period outfit.

This is a small black bonnet dating from the 1880s. The brim is made of fine straw folded over and the crown of buckram, covered with black satin with small swathes of georgette round the edge with a simple rosette effect at the back. The brim is trimmed at the front with an ostrich feather. The bonnet fastens under the chin with broad ties of silk satin. This bonnet is in good wearable condition and would be suitable for a costume event or display.

This is an American Naval Commissioning Pennant, which I acquired with the American Naval ensign, which I have listed separately. It is in excellent condition the colours are very bright and fresh. It has a metal eyelet on the vertical seam. It is made of wool with cotton appliqué stars, and measures 75 inches long and 3 1/4 inches wide at the hoist, with an 11 inch swallow tail. It is soiled from use towards the swallow tail and there is one small hole in the white fabric about 15 inches from the end. Please also have a look at the Ensign which I have listed separately.

This is a good example of a pre 1959 Naval American ensign, the Stars and Stripes, which has just 48 stars instead of the present number. This dates it from before 1959 after which other stars were added. It comes with a commissioning pennant of the same era I think and which I have listed separately. The flag is made of wool, with cotton appliqué stars and with metal eyelet holes on the vertical seam. It measures 79 x 40 inches, is in excellent condition and the colours are bright and fresh. the only signs of wear is slight soiling and some very small holes. It is stamped “US EHS 9”. Please also have a look at the Commissioning Pennant listed separately.

This is a very well preserved example of a barrister’s wig, in horsehair, dating from the late 19th Century. It fits very neatly into its carrying case, which carries the maker’s name “Ravenscroft - Law,Wig and Robe Makers, Lincolns Inn, London”. The case is metal and painted in black and gold. The name of the owner appears on the outside - I Ginsberg Esquire. The firm of Ravenscroft was started in 1689 and bore this name until 1921, when it was changed to Ede and Ravenscroft and in fact is still in business at present and Robe Makers to Her Majesty the Queen. Also with the wig are four pairs of barrister’s bands or tags, which are attached with tapes. The carrying case shows some signs of wear, especially on the sides. The wig is in good condition, as can be seen from the photos and is complete with the draw string at centre back inside. It shows some signs of wear and the only fault I can find is some small holes in the net which lines it inside on the crown and at the back which can be seen in the photos. The hair is in excellent condition. This is an interesting piece of legal history in great condition and made by the longest established wig and robe maker in Britain.

This is a most unusual Victorian bodice in a cotton print which has a very modern look about it. The bodice is made from an attractive navy blue and white print in an abstract design, with sleeves of machine lace, lined with satin. The yoke and stand up collar are made of the same lace and satin and the shape of the collar is marked with three lines of black velvet ribbon which also is used on the sleeves. The bodice fastens asymmetrically with a draped panel with hooks and eyes to one side and underneath the basic bodice fastens centrally with hooks and eyes. The bodice is also trimmed with wider velvet ribbon, two pieces on each shoulder, with small cut steel buckles. The bodice is fully boned and has a waist tie fastened with hooks and eyes inside. The measurements (measured flat) are are follows Bust 32 inches Waist 22 inches Sleeve length shoulder to hem 24 1/4 inches Front length shoulder to hem 19 inches The bodice is a small size, in fact I have no dress form small enough to display it and had to drape it on a larger one. There is some wear to the chiffon which lines the stand up collar and there is a small coloured stain on the front of the draped section of the bodice, which can be seen in the photographs. Otherwise it is in very good condition for its age and is wearable with care.

This is a very elegant full length silk skirt from the Edwardian era at the beginning of the 20th Century. It is very finely pleated and gathered slightly on to a narrow waist band which is fastened with two hooks and eyes. It is deep cream in colour and has a band of machine made filet lace inserted above the hem line of the skirt. The waist measurement is 23 inches (57 cms.) and the length from waist to hem is 42 inches (106.5 cms.) It is in good condition and very wearable with care.