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C19th Ladies Tobacco Pipe
A lovely example of Meerschaum clay in the form of an ample ladies leg with a butterscotch amber mouthpiece.
Nestles in her very own original leather case lined in silk and velvet with good press clasp
6 cms long, case is 8 cms long
Meerschaum, often referred to as 'Sepiolite' or 'Sea Foam', is a soft white clay mineral first discovered in the underground deposits of the Turkish landscape between Istanbul and Ankara
Artisans and craftsmen would carve the clay into many intricate items, ideally for pipes as it's porous properties kept cool but absorbed any moisture, turning a rich golden yellow from the oils in the tobacco
90
Georgian Silk Slippers
Ivory moire silk slippers with remains of original ties in long slender form. Guessing a size 6 (UK) belonging to a Miss H Towns, conveniently hand signed inside the soft leather fold of one slipper
The regency slipper is a rare survivor as the fabric was always silk or the softest kid leather, sometimes a low heel and very little protection against gravel drives and coifered grass lawns that I imagine they walked.
Sides are wounded (please request more images)
125
Gold & Turquoise Brooch by Murrle Bennett
A fine quality Arts & Crafts brooch from one of the leading craftsmen of the time, Murrle Bennett & Theodor Fahrner.
Made of 15ct openwork gold, a flat turquoise stone and a single natural pearl stylished into the sinous lines, so associated with this period
Murrle, Bennett & Co was founded by Ernst Murrle & JB Bennett in London 1884-1916 and Fahrner was an award winning silversmith from Germany, exhibiting in Paris. The two designers came together often in Pforzheim, Germany to work on exceptional pieces, often made for the London retailers, Libertys
During WW1 Murrle was interned on the Isle Of Man and in 1916, he was repatriated, returning to Germany. His firm was confiscated by the British government and renamed White, Redgrove & Whyte, still trading today
Stamped on the pin, rubbed but legible
3.5 cms x 2.5 cms
850
Satirical Cartoon in Tramp Art Frame
A scarce hand-drawn and coloured compilation of cartoon images to ridicule the medieval brotherhood of Freemasons
The drawn images include the resistence of speech against the practice and many references to their secretive lives with the all seeing eye and 'Truth' as a central focus
The Trampart frame with good clean lines and four roundels at each corner belies its origins to be from The Americas and dates to 1831
Measures 28 x 38 cms
Has some water damage and replacement back, likely some time ago
Frame is overall good
220
Vintage Snake Cuff
Iconic in form and wraps beautifully around any size of wrist articulated and sprung from head to tail
Made by Whiting & Davis c1960 of gold tone metal scales and stamped clearly behind the head with the makers name
some rubbing and no losses
125
Victorian Dog Collar
Made of leather and a brass overlay of chain and plain band, this small dog collar would have graced a pet terrier or spaniel in the Victorian era
Adorned with a small pressed lead doggie fob & jump ring
95
C19th 'Globe de Marie' Cushion
A crimson velvet cushion from France embellished with original gold bullion embroidery and sprung tassels, all original
These heavy wood wool filled cushions were used to support all the bridal acoutrements for a bride from her headress to her shoes as part of a 'Globe de Marie', a glass dome presented on her wedding day
Worn & faded velvet upper side, no splits or holes
100
Georgian 'Black Dot' Eye Brooch
Charming silver lovers eye brooch of 'black dot' white paste stones of a small size with original pin Circa 1820
'Black Dot' jewellery became fashionable in the Georgian period for enhancing paste stones. A painted dab of black was applied to the foiled underside to absorb the candlelight & replicate a deeper cut mimicing the facets of a real diamond.
2cms long
no marks
inc later retailers box
145
Sister Maria's Reliquary
A thin microscopic slider with glass apertures re-purposed in the late 18th century to hold tiny remnants of fabric and two images of holy sisters to serve as a devotional reliquary for Sister Maria Alafogue of France, her name is hand-written on the reverse
Certainly a one-off for a little personal reliquiry, most probably supended from the single jump ring around Maria's neck or hidden within the folds of her habit
measures approx 5 cms
75
Sixpence Love Tokens
A small selection of some personalised antique sixpences, engraved with the names of a sweetheart or loved one.
Historically these served as traditional love tokens in Britain from the 17th century to the 19th century and given to a loved one engraved with their name or initials
Cissie & Muriel are Victorian while Ruth is George V.
All silver and in good condition with additional jump rings
45 each
Gentleman's Embroidered Library Slippers
A scarce pair of Art Nouveau library slippers made of dark leather. The wide toes are embroidered with silk florals over faded green velvet and a black velvet ribbon has been added to tie the fragile leather tabs together
I would caution that these are not suitable to be worn as the leather, although recently softened with some restoration wax, is crumbling and well worn for their 100 years.
Would display beautifully and definatley museum worthy
80
