Textiles and Stuff 

This is an antique wooden clamp used for winding wool, silk or cotton for knitting, embroidery, crochet, and tatting, dating from the first half of the 19th Century. They sometimes came in pairs and were used to hold the skein while a ball was wound by hand. It is nicely turned with a boxwood finial in the shape of an acorn at the top. It is in very good condition, but of course with the usual signs of wear. The wooden screw although antique is probably not the original. The winding clamp measures 26 cms. long with the screw fastened tight and 8 cms, wide at the widest part. These clamps are less seen these days.

This is a small Victorian emery bag (used to clean needles before the days of stainless steel,by pushing them into it). Dating from the early 19th Century, it is made of dark pink velvet and has a silk calyx and tiny running stitches as seeds. It measures just 1 1/2 inch long (4 cms.). There is a small wire loop at the top to attach a ribbon. The silk calyx is a little worn but it is in good condition for its age. it is an attractive example of its type and would be an interesting addition to a collection.

This is a lovely example of a 19th century German silver thimble. It is plain in the main part but has a wide decorated gold coloured band round the rim, of swirls alternating with small cabuchon stones in turquoise, black and orange. There is a small flower at the top of it. The thimble is in excellent condition, except that a couple of the retaining claws are missing from two of the stones. The thimble bears the 825 silver mark, the maker’s mark A.B. and some others that I cannot decipher. This is a very good specimen and an excellent addition to any collection or as a gift for the keen needlewoman. Reference "The Collector's Guide to Thimbles" by Bridget McConnel.

This is a very decorative thimble, made probably in Afghanistan or Turkey in the late 19th Century and decorated all over with a raised design of small knobs within wire scallops. It is in excellent condition and there are no holes or dents. It is set with three red “stones”. It measures just 3/4 inch high.(2 cms.) and is most probably made of silver but there are no marks, which is quite usual. Reference The Collector's Guide to Thimbles, by Bridget McConnel.

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 lovely example of a silver thimble by Charles Horner, hallmarked for Chester 1916, and a size 10. Charles Horner was very well known at the time as a designer and maker of small silver objects, particularly thimbles and hatpins and his products were mostly hallmarked for Chester or Birmingham. This thimble is in the traditional design with small indentations all over and the rim is faceted. It is in excellent condition, a good weight and very comfortable to wear. It is an attractive thimble and a very useful gift. 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 £2.50 in the U.K., £8.50 to the U.S. and £7.75 Europe. I will always combine items for posting if you are making more than one purchase.

This is a wonderful example of a wool winder or swift made of mahogany. It stands 27 inches high on a broad circular base and revolves easily, with an extension of over 28 inches. It is finished at the top with a beautifully turned knob. It folds up very neatly, as can be seen from the photographs. Two of the slats have been restored, new silk ribbon ties them together at top and bottom, and the copper wire attaching the slats replaced. The wool winder is in excellent condition and is immanently usable, or for use as a piece of decorative and historical interest. Please contact me with regard to postal charges.

This is a brass Continental thimble case combined with a tape measure which is in the shape of a tankard. It has an embossed pattern of peasant figures in a landscape and a lid which lifts to reveal the thimble case. The tape in the base is marked in centimetres and it is wound in by rotating the base of the tankard. It is in excellent condition.

This is a small thimble case in fine basket weave with a fitted lid. It is lined in fabric and contains a small metal copper coloured thimble. The thimble fits tightly inside, and has a 4 stamped on the side. It probably dates from the early 20th Century. It measures 1 1/4 inches long and the diameter of the lid is 1 inch. I send all goods by Royal Mail first class signed for delivery and insurance is included in the postal charge.. I will always combine items for posting if you are making more than one purchase.