The word poffer is derived from poffen, the puffing of sleeves and trousers in mid-19th century Holland. 

This beautifully decorated poffer (or sometimes referred to as a toer) would have been fashionable between the 1860's and 1920's and only worn by the brides or married ladies of the Brabant & Northern Limberg regions of Holland.

The size and elegance of a woman's poffer including the length and width of the silk ribbons, reflected her husband's wealth & status

In the first half of the 20th century it fell out of favour as it became impractical to wear on a bicycle and there was the lack of fabric available to make them during the second world war

58

The smallest little marionettes I have ever come across. These three characters or a King, a masked Pulcinella and an African are an unlikely crew but so charming. Most probably scratch made from painted clay, card and old linen sacking and I'm suspecting  from Europe in the early c20th 

each measures 6 cms high

110 

A pretty two-part interlocking English made ladies silver buckle enamelled with four blue poppy scalloped brass roundels on a green background 

The inside of the buckle reads 'Made in England' and there are some well rubbed hallmarks on both pieces, difficult to decipher

The small wide ivory rose embossed silk belt is sewn onto the buckle and original

Condition rubbed and silk slightly discoloured at edges 

Measures small at approx 25 inches, 2.25 inches wide on the silk 

95

Made of wood pulp and glue, these charming little moulded liners were probably scratch built when materials were quite scarce around 1920

The mixture of fine sawdust mixed with rabbit or fish glue would have been poured into a mould with little wire masts and rolled paper for funnels, then turned out and painted 

Sold individually 

Smallest is 4.5 cms  25

Medium is 7cms      28

Large is 8cms           28

Based upon the larger fairground amusements, this table top toy shooting gallery of four papered plywood animals sit on a tilting rod. When shot at with a soft shooting pistol or small weighted pillow, they would fall backward, revealing the score

No peppered bullet holes so probably not used for target pratice but time worn marks on the metal and some small losses to the paper

Circa 1890

 65

A fine and detailed example of a seafaring merchant with feathered cap & hoop earrings

Meerschaum, also known as Sepiolite or Sea Foam is a mineral that does not burn and floats in water. When softened by the sea  it can be easily carved and dried when it will become hard and shiny when polished with bone-ash. This makes it a very popular material for pipe making and when smoked takes on a fabulous discoloured patina, often transforming a piece to a rich yellow, gold or reddish hue often fixed to an amber mouthpiece 

Measures 5 inches long

85

Made of multiple wire hoops wrapped  in a chartreuse coloured silk and decorated with wax buds and flowers, this French couronne, or halo, is a timeless piece of bridal headwear

The art of wax used to make these buds and flowers were often described as 'orange blossom' and represented fertility, chatsity and innocence becoming fashionable after Queen Victoria wore real orange blossoms in her hair in 1840. The wax substitutes where orange blossom was scarce, became a tradition right through to the mid-20th century and were as simple or as elaborate to the brides taste 

a few minimal losses 

75

Two sets of family cards, illustrating The Confectioners and The Sweeps in pen and coloured ink

These whimsical caricatures are great fun items of social history based upon the very popular card game devised by John Jacques Jr, published before the Great Exhibition of 1851

Difficult to date but the style and materials used are most likely from the late half of the 1800's

18 per card

A delicate red and silver small cap embellished with metallic thread & tiny sequins, folded edging & wide embroidered boarder. The cap is a fine printed linen gauze with green silk lining

Most probably worn by someone of high status in the palaces of royalty said to be bought back from mid 19th century India in a tin trunk and this is the remainder of the entire ensemble 

80

Hand-carved and painted polychrome wooden static rabbit from the Gustave Bayol Carousel Company (active 1887-circa 1914), Angers, France. 

This handsome bunny is a prototype model in leaping position with exposed pink paw pads sporting a turquoise blue & gilded saddle with gold bells, studs & signature bow around his neck 

Mounted on a rectangular bevelled base with golden post 

Gustave Bayol (French 1859-1931) was considered the foremost carousel maker in France and was renowned for his fanciful carvings of animals. 

Circa 1890

Height to ear tips 65 cms 

Length 70 cms 

Width 17cms

POA

An extraordinary example of a reinforced wax doll in ruched full length champagne silk dress and shoes. Her eyes are glass & she has real blond hair. She has some evidence of age related cracking with minor losses and comes with a Victorian glass dome to keep her safe. This doll is all original and dates from 1870-1890, most probably from Germany 

A 'reinforced' doll has a thin layer of wax poured into a mold, then the interior is filled with plaster as opposed to a poured wax doll which has a thicker outer layer of wax and left hollow

Over the years the layers contract with changes of temperature. This causes the cracking to the surface which shows her age x

265 inc dome

A beautiful Arts & Crafts sideboard created by the highly regarded woodsmanThomas Whittaker of Littlebeck, also known as Gnomeman. 

Designed out of oak with the unmistakeable scooped or 'adzed' surface so synonymous with the Yorkshire studios of Robert Thompson, who he studied under in the 1960's. Instead of the signature carved mouse, a  little gnome is recessed  into one of the legs. 

This is a piece of quality craftmanship from the period and becoming increasingly 

scarce  

Condition is good with some light wear to the surface

Measuring 106 cms x 38 cms, 77cms high

POA

Originating from the Milagros of Mexico, these silver offerings are called Ex Voto from the latin 'ex voto suscepto' meaning 

'from the vow made'

These examples are made from thin repousse tin, coated in 800 silver and are a variation of many forms offered to hang in a church or shrine to give thanks for a miracle received. The miracle could be anything from the gift of a child to the saving of a limb and the public gifting of these items affirms a vow absolut to the church.

All are quite large measuring upto 10.5 inches

Priced individually as follows:

Large Hand SOLD 

Boy Child SOLD

Large Leg       80

Lady in Dress 60

Medium Leg  70  

Man w/ Sash  60

A scarce lucky pendant charm from world war one, given to the soldiers to bring good luck and safety. 

The tiny wooden head with glass eyes sits above a well rubbed gold metal body with moving arms and thumbs pointing skyward. The little chest has the words 'Fumsup' impressed into it and a registration number on the back, the feet are winged. 

An emotive reminder of hope 

Measures  just 2 cms high, inc jump ring 

130

Most probably for a child's confirmation in mid 1800's. Small coral beads threaded on expanding wire circles and sold as a pair

a few minor losses

115 

An exceptional ladies cap that would be pinnned to the back of the head to hold a large 'bun' of hair, dating to around 1910

The silk embroidery is of superb quality in golds, greens and cerise with silver thread throughout. This covers the crown of the cap over a linen form with a wide ruched black silk border

Condition is good with a minimal amount of rubbing to the edge of the silk boarder

75

A fabulous collection of realistic carved and hand-painted alabaster/marble figs & peaches of antique quality from Italy

Each one weighs between 250g to 500g 

Figs (4)  55 each

Peaches (2) 60 each

A hand-forged small teaspoon with a Ruskin blue cabochon set into the pierced circular finial

The cradled oval bowl is gently planished and has good clear makers marks to the back for 1908

85

Silken slippers made from white and natural leather uppers with bow detail and milk glass stud button

Stamped  63 D to the underside, some silk shattering to the sides 

Circa 1920 

125

A crested brown velvet cap with the motto 'Nil Sine Labore" embroidered on the front which translates to "Nothing without Effort" from Baines School of Lancashire, founded in 1717 by James Baines

There is a large original gold silk tassel and the pleated lining is intact, no label present

Size seven and a quarter, good condition and no splits or fraying

75

An auburn beauty doll with a cascade of ruffles in ruched organza and a velvet off the shoulder bodice. Original in her entirity & good condition with all her fingers and toes, so often broken

.

Some minor surface wear  circa 1920 

290

Becoming increasingly rare to find, these tri-folding Victorian cards with 'risque' exposed petticoats when opened are a true survivor. 

Often produced to send home a little bit of humour in WW1 this one has a hand-written note on the reverse to Donald, enquiring if he might have danced  like this at Christmas time during his trips to the continent ? 

Good condition without tears, some surface marks

sold

An small intricate piece of gilt pressed metal flowers and birds mounted onto a bridge frame with a fringe of petals, concaved to catch the light. 

These pieces were traditionally worn for a ceremony such as a wedding or celebration and formed part of a beautiful ensemble

If you are lucky enough to see a theatre performance in Indonesia, namely Sumatra or Java, this style of craftmanship is very much part of the drama, often made into huge headpieces 

Measures   20cms across & 12 cms high

(display stand not part of the tiara)

sold

A scarce set of four large billiard pocket corner covers cast in bronze with great patina and presence.

These wonderful French examples are decorated in high relief with typical Art Nouveau maiden surrounded by acanthus leaves at the centre of each piece

Hinged inside to take the weight of a ball when droppped into the pocket, forcing the front to open so as to retrieve the ball

Heafty weight of 800 g a piece, approx 20 cms high, 12 cms across the curved width

Good condition, one needs some gentle re-alignment

sold 

Lovely example of a Meershaum/white clay carved Angel Gabriel with un-usual gilded wings and sealed with bitumen under convex glass

7cms high x 4cms wide x 1.5 cms deep

sold

A lovely and rare example of a bisque porcelain circus clown, jointed with small wires. 

He's dressed with a faded blue ruff, pointed hat and red buttons with puffed out pantaloons and a cheery face of blushed cheeks 

In great condition and measures approx 6 cms high

Sold

A lovely example of a marotte head, or wig-makers display stand, made of papier mache and hand-painted with rosebud lips and blue eyes

In good order with no dents or flaky paint and clothed in the most beautiful yellow silk bridal bonnet, sold separately 

measures 25 cms x 13cms

sold