Textiles and Stuff 

This is an unusual example of a pelisse or coat dating from the early 19th Century, It is entirely hand made in a pink cotton fabric which has a surface glaze. It is quite voluminous and has a shoulder cape and hood which are attached at the neck and decorated with a pleated frill as are the sleeves. The lower skirt is stiffened to a depth of 40 inches with a stiff cotton fabric. The measurements are as follows. The length of the coat from shoulder to hem is 66 inches, the cape is 29 inches deep at the centre back, the sleeves which are attached in rather a simple fashion into the side of the coat without a shoulder seam, measure 28 inches long on the outer edge. The coat and hood both fasten with a narrow silk ribbon tie. There is some fading and discolouration to the cape and some fading to the lower half of the sleeves but otherwise the colour is good. The fabric is strong and the only damage I can find is a small area of soiling and small holes near the hem at the back of the coat, see photograph. Only half of the left hand tie at the neck is remaining. There is a small dark mark on the bonnet. The front edges of the coat have been sewn together at the lower end, but although this stitching is probably not original I have not unpicked it. This is an amazing survival from this period and is in excellent condition considering its age.

This is a very attractive and useful vintage handbag, probably dating from the 1930s/1940s period. The outside is covered with black silk and it has two handles. The bag measures 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches and is 1 1/2 inches deep. The inside is fitted with a powder compartment with sprung lid, a round compartment for rouge and a lipstick in its own slot. The other side is fitted with a bevelled mirror, which has a concealed space behind it, perhaps originally for cigarettes or small personal items. The only damage is some very sight corrosion on the edges of the gold coloured frame and very light wear on the silk cover. However these are small faults and the bag is very attractive and useable.

This is an attractive pair of ladies’ pyjamas from the 1930s. They are made of cream satin, embroidered with dragons, with trimmings of dark blue on the jacket and the trousers. The jacket fastens at the front to the side with press studs and is decorated with four flowers made of cord on the blue placket. The jacket is gathered at the sides at the waist and there are two small pockets, also trimmed with blue.The trousers are wide cut and gathered at the back of the waist with elastic. Also included in the set are a pair of bedroom mules also in satin and embroidered with a dragon, with white fur trim. The actual chest measurement is 40 inches (), and from shoulder to hem is 27 inches (68.5) the outside sleeve length from shoulder to cuff is 21 1/2 inches (54.5 cms) Trouser outside length 40 inches. The whole set is packed together in its original box covered in fabric, with a tiny mirror in the lid. The pyjamas are in very good condition, although there are a few faint marks mainly due to being packed away. The box which fastens with a press stud, shows signs of wear and there are some faint stains on it, but it is still sturdy and complete. This lovely set is so typical of the era and still very wearable.

This doll was purchased on a passage in the 1930s, on board the Royal Mail Ship “Berengaria”, by a family who were stationed in India, and was much treasured by their daughter. The R.M.S.” Berengaria” was originally built in Germany and operated with the Hamburg-Amerika Line. After the First World War she was sold to the Cunard Line and in 1935 she set a record passage on the New York to Southampton route. She continued in service until a disastrous fire in 1938 when it was decided that she should be broken up and eventually was taken to Jarrow on the Tyne for this in 1939. This little sailor doll was designed by Norah Wellings. This lady worked first of all for Chad Valley Dolls and then in 1926 she founded her own company with her brother, called The Victoria Toy Works which produced these dolls mainly in the 1930s and 1940s. He measures just over 10 inches tall, is made totally in fabric, with a moulded face and stitched seams. He is in good condition, with his cap and lanyard, except for some slight damage to his right ear. He has been much loved, packed away for many years but now looking for a new home! The postage charge for the U.K. would be free by first class recorded delivery. Please contact me for overseas rates.

This is a lovely example of a pretty Victorian bonnet in embroidered cotton with inserts of broderie anglaise and a double frill edged with bobbin lace round the brim. It has a high crown with four gathered sections at the back and long ties to fasten at the front. There is a drawstring at the back of the neck to adjust the size. The measurement round the brim is 16 inches (40.6 cms.) and round the nape of the neck is 11 inches (28 cms.) which can be drawn up with the tapes. There are a few tiny holes in the body of the bonnet and one of the ties, and a small slit (about 1/4 inch long) in one of the gathered sections, with some very small repairs, but these are very small faults and can hardly be seen. This is an elegant and unusual bonnet - one for wearing or for the collector! This item is sent by signed for delivery, post free.

This is a traditional garment from Syria called an Abba or Abeya which is sometimes all in one piece or with a front opening like this example. The fabric used is hand woven in shades of old gold and white, with a blue stripe, and the garment is made of three rectagonal sections. The seams are trimmed with a gold plaited braid and it is a loose fitting garment. It has no fastenings. There is a geometric design of the traditional shape on the back and running from the shoulders down the front of the of the robe. The abba is in very good condition and the only fault I can find is a few caught threads here and there which are not noticeable. THe goods will be despatched by first class signed for delivery which includes insurance, in the U.K. £6.75, for Europe 13.50 and for the U.S. £18.

This is a Vjctorian dress dating from the 1870s. It comes in several parts, first of all the under dress made of a firm cotton with a gathered waist and short sleeves and fastening down the back with linen buttons, the front half of the skirt being made of a ribbed fabric and a section of the same fabric 15 inches deep at the hem at the back. Then separate from this are the bodice, which fastens down the front with hooks and hand sewn eyelets, the skirt, fastening with hooks and eyes and the bustle effect which is fastened with a linen button and buttonhole on a tape. The cotton skirt which is trained, consists of tiers of gathered stiff frills, trimmed with a blue bias cut strip which has been folded to create the deeper shade of blue. The bodice is waisted and has elegant pagoda sleeves, again trimmed in the same manner as the skirt, with a narrower frill, decorated in blue. The detachable panniers or bustle effect is in two parts mounted on a tape and also trimmed with frills and blue folded bias. The dress has been photographed on a size 12 model (US size 8) with a crinoline petticoat, which is not for sale. This model is rather larger in the waist than the dress which is why the bodice does not fasten round the waist and the skirt and panniers are also too small to fasten. As to damage - there are a couple of horizontal slits in the ribbed fabric of the skirt and two darns in the lowest frill of the skirt which are hardly noticeable.. There is some damage to the bodice at the waist at the front, and also some small brown marks on the back of the skirt which can be seen in the photographs. This is a most attractive and unusual dress (though it must have been the laundress’s nightmare!) and the skirt frills fall beautifully. A real collector’s item. This item will be sent fully insured and post free.

This is a beautifully embroidered silk bodice or choli from India for a young girl which may have been for a marriage. It shows a variety of fabrics, a pinky red silk, a deep red and gold brocade and a deep red and gold border round the sleeves. There is also a triangular turquoise silk section in the underarm area. The top of the bodice and sleeves are embroidered in a couched gold thread in a traditional pattern of floral and other shapes, and this is enhanced with the addition of gold coloured sequins. There is just one tape to fasten at the back neck, the other one is missing. The bodice is in excellent condition and a lovely example of its type, and the colours are bright and unfaded. Postage in the U.K. would be by signed for delivery, first class, and the charge would be £4, which includes insurance. For overseas delivery, the charge is £10.50 to the U.S. and Canada, Asia and Australia, and £9.50 to Europe.

This is a most unusual and rare example of a small antique lace horse for a child, which is adjustable in height. It is made of a variety of woods and has been much used, as can be seen by the wear on the stretcher. It stands 23 inches high and 14 inches wide and 13 inches deep. The original hinge (which was missing) at the centre front has been replaced with a modern fitment. There has been some damage in the distant past to the curved portion, including a crack part of the way round, but these have been repaired unobtrusively. I have not been able to find another example of an adjustable horse to compare it with. It is a most unusual piece and a real collector’s item! Please contact me by email to enquire about carriage costs. Personal collection is also possible by appointment only.

This is a lovely example of an 18th Century veil in fine Honiton lace which is approximately 43 inches square. There is a wreath of flowers in the centre with a single motifs inside and the veil is dotted with tiny flowers. About 5 inches in from the border is a square of small leaves. The border itself if decorated with swags and leaves. The condition is excellent, the only flaws I can find are a few tiny brown marks in two or three places and a couple of tiny holes, but these are almost unnoticeable. Attached to the veil is a provenance “Old Honiton Veil believed to be a gift of Queen Charlotte (wife of George III)”. This is a beautiful piece of lace with historical associations which could be worn as a wedding veil or be a welcome addition to a lace collection.

This is a lovely example of an antique thimble in silver, with the maker’s mark J.F., for James Fenton, one of the best known thimble makers in Victorian times, He was first registered in 1852 and ceased making thimbles in 1922. The thimble is quite heavy and is hallmarked for Birmingham 1892 and is size 8. It has a pleasing design of a row of diamond shapes, the other half being indented in the traditional way. It is in very good condition and although it has been used there are no dents or major faults POSTAGE I send all goods by Royal Mail first class signed for delivery and insurance is included in the postal charge. The postage by first class signed for service would be £2 in the U.K., £8.50 to the U.S., Canada, Asia and Australia, and £7.50 to Europe. I will always combine items for posting if you are making more than one purchase.

This is a beautiful example of a late Victorian two piece day dress, c.1895-1900, in a fine corded cream silk. The bodice is fitted, with softly folded detail at the front, with a fitted back which has a detachable stiffened bow which is anchored with hooks and eyes. The bodice has an inner silk ribbon which fastens inside to pull in the waist. It is boned and fastens down the centre front with hooks and eyes and the right side of the bodice then folds over to fasten on the right. The sleeves are very fully gathered and lined throughout, in a typical “leg of mutton” style so popular at this time, and finish in a narrow cuff. The stand up collar is stiffened and trimmed with narrow double pleated lace as are the cuffs. The skirt falls straight at the front and is closely gathered for a bustle at the back. It is fully lined in cotton sateen and has a long train which is decorated on the underside with a deep ruffle of stiff cotton and lace. The waistband bears the words “R.H. A. Woodman, Robes et Manteaux, Ventnor”. This dress was part of the contents of a trunk containing Victorian clothes, purchased at auction. The bodice and sleeves had been partially unpicked, perhaps with a view to alteration. These have been carefully restored to their original form, and great care has been taken to use natural fabrics for stiffening the bow and finishing the seams. The condition of the fabric is excellent and wearable. There are a few small flaws however that I ought to detail. There is a repair to the underside of one of the sleeves near the cuff and there are also some tiny holes in the back of the bodice which can be seen in the photographs, and one small hole in the train about midway between the waist and the hem. There is very slight staining in the underarm area on the lining but this does not show on the outside. It seems that the dress has been very little worn and there is no damage as such. The hem of the train is clean and not scuffed. The measurements are as follows Bust 32 inches (81 cms) Waist 24 inches (61 cms.) Shoulder 4 inches (10 cms.) Skirt waist to hem at front 40 1/4 inches ( 102 cms.) If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email and I will try to answer them. I can supply more photographs on request. Please contact me for postage charges. These will be by "signed for" delivery and include insurance.