Textiles and Stuff 

This is an elegant hatpin of the Edwardian era. The head is made in silver, in the form of a loose knot and marked 0.925 with a triangle and a letter K. The pin is just over 11 inches long (29 cms.)and there are a few slight rust patches on the steel pin, but otherwise the pin is in very good condition. It would be great to wear with a period costume or for a collection.

This is a lovely pair of antique ladies ice skates in brown leather. The blades are labelled “ St Moritz, Hudora, Fagan Foreign Make, Finest Quality Steel” and the boots are “Genuine Hotspur Brand”. They date probably from the Victorian or Edwardian era. The condition of the leather is excellent and they are certainly wearable. I can see faintly printed inside S36 which would make them a UK size 4 and they certainly look that size. They are in very good condition, there is slight discolouration on the blades on one side and they would need new laces if they are to be worn but apart from this they are in very good condition.They would be excelllent for display.

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 a large example of a fan of the Art Deco era, principally the 1930s, with a silk leaf, hand painted in a design of bright flowers and a large butterfly, all highlighted in gold, backed with pale blue silk. The sticks are of cow bone and the metal loop is intact. The dark cream silk face has been stiffened before painting and the colours are bright and fresh. The fan measures just under 14 inches long and the face of the sticks is 1 1/4 inches at its widest point. and the fan fully extended measures 25 inches. There is some damage, there are splits in the silk on the back and front which can be seen in the photos, and some stains on the back lining some of which have affected the front slightly. However it is a beautiful fan and would be suitable for using with a Deco outfit or for drama, or for display on a wall. Postage is free in the UK, please contact me if you are an overseas customer.

This is a delightful large fan dating from the middle of the 19th Century, with bone sticks... The leaf itself is made of very fine Brussels bobbin lace in a design of flowers, leaves and swirls. The sections of stick that support the lace are of bone also. The fan measures 14 inches (38 cms.) long. Open, the fan measures 25 inches (63.5 cms.) across. The fan is in good condition but there are a couple of faults. The metal loop is missing and there is uniform soiling of the leaf due to use, but this can be remedied by a gentle clean, which I have not attempted. One of the folds is slightly out of place as can be seen in the close photo but this just needs some careful ironing to establish the crease. There are breaks in two of the sticks, one has been repaired with sewing and glue and the other left unrepaired. I have photographed it but does not show up well on the photo as it is very difficult to see. This is a very beautiful fan in a very large size, made of the finest lace. If you have any questions about this item, I am happy to answer them.

This is a pair of vintage leather tap shoes dating from the 1930s. They are a size 37 and were purchased in Malasia at that time and bear the name of the retailer inside - Sun Soon Thye, 144, Campbell Street, Penang. They are made of black kid leather and are leather lined, with fabric laces with tiny tassels, and leather soled and heeled with metal tips. They have been worn and the wear can be seen in the photographs, but they are in great condition for their age and still wearable. A very interesting bit of history!

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 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 a very attractive sunshade or parasol, dating I believe from the 1930s in a cotton fabric printed with leaves and flower spraysin blue and cream. It has a dark cream background and the motifs are brightly coloured . The creases are somewhat grubby and I have not attempted to remedy this but the parasol would benefit from cleaning. There are no holes or tears and the fabric seems quite strong. Some of the bakelite spoke tips are missing. The original elastic fastening is still in position but would need replacing. The elegant handle is in plain light coloured wood. There is a hole in it for the insertion of a cord. The total length of the parasol is just over 29 inches (73.5 cms) – a great accessory for a vintage outfit. The postage in the UK would be £10. This might seem expensive, but I always post parasols in cardboard tubes for protection.

This beautiful fan is typical of its period, i.e. the end of the 19th Century and early years of the 20th. It has sticks of bone and the fan leaf is made of a double layer of dark red marabou feathers stuck to the silk to cover both sides completely. As the fan opens, so the feathers fluff out to create a lovely effect. The fan measures 13 inches long (excluding the metal loop) and the sticks are 1 1/8 inches wide at the widest part. It shows some slight signs of wear but is still very usable and would enhance any outfit. It is a most glamorous fan and would give great pleasure either in use or as part of a collection.