Please scroll down and if you see something
of interest e-mail me
and I can give you details on any item, further images
& worldwide postage.
Portrait of a Lady
Oil on board of a lady from the 18th century with traditional large lace bonnet over tight auburn curls. She wears a black dress with soft folds of muslin around her neckline. Her brown eyes and slightly ruddy complexion suggest a woman from rural surroundings, quite possibly an English rose or further afar to Northern France or Flanders.
The original black and gilt bevelled oval frame has the panel secured with metal pins to the reverse
17.5 cms high x 14 cms across
195
Folkart Tobacco Pot
Oval in shape & pocket-sized in stature, this little lidded pot would have been hand-made in the late 19th century for tobacco or snuff. Materials used were birch bark & leather which were then pressed together with rabbit glue and heat, then polished & lacquered. Typically Northern European in origin
Lid is tight fitting and in good condition
Measures 5.5 cms across, 3 cms wide and 4 cms high
68
Carved Monkey Head Inkwell
A late 19th century carved piece of Black Forest treen in the form of a monkeys head with good detailing on his face & amber glass eyes. Rich in patina and highly collectable with original marbled porcelain inkpot fitted into the interior cavity
Black Forest or Schwarzwald carvings originally come from the Brienz region of Switzerland, often mistakenly thought to be from southwest Germany. They were traditionally made from a softwood like limewood or walnut which was easy to carve and then stained to a darker hue, more popular for the tourist market in the 19th century
Typically unsigned
Good conditon with brass fitting hinge
measures 7cm high x 5.5 cm wide
180
Antique Leather Heeled Shoes
A good example of hand-tooled town shoes or cycle-footwear with dark brown leather uppers, distinct decorative overlay stitching in pinked or zig-zag edges and low heels from the late Edwardian era
Scuff marks throughout and leather softened over time with worn elasticated side panels
Slim fit for a UK size 4
115
Folkart Workers Cabin
A beautiful example of an early c20th scratch built small dwelling with hinged shutters, outside steps to a hayloft on the left side and a well to the right with a turning handle. Paint is well worn and soulful, approx 80-100 years worth
She measures 36 x 26 x 16 cms
170
Georgian Glass Funnels
Most probably used for apothecary use and in exceptional hand blown condition with no chips or cracks. Graduating in three sizes and beautifully ribbed in a spiral motion
60
Silk Day Bonnet Circa 1860
An rare example of high quality millinery for the early 19th century. This bonnet of champagne silk is hand ruched onto a wire frame to create a wonderful wide brim to protect ones head (& reputation of course) The nape has a wide frill and condition is very good, even wearable but worthy of a collection of historical fashions during the Regency period
110
Antique Springerle Mould
A fabulous example of a 19th century gingerbread mould made from beeswax, darkened into a rich patina over time, originating from mostly Germany. The Love, Hope & Glory motif sit in the base with deep ribs around the interior wall. These were handcrafted by country folk around the Easter & Christmas celebrations
11cms in diameter
55
Early Georgian Seed Pearl Diadem
A gem of a small natural seed pearl diadem or tiara of five vertical flowers on a double row & chevroned arch, made between 1820-1830
The craft of weaving tiny pearls onto a pierced Mother of Pearl frame with fine naturally strong thread was considered the height of fashion in the Georgian Era and only afforded by the very finest of houses
This piece has a constructed rose gold gallery to the reverse with 7cm long pin that hooks securely and is fully mounted onto the frame with tiny screwed in metal supports. There are two small round bales at either end presumably to thread a length of ribbon or velvet to secure around the head or large 'top knot' of hair. A feat of engineering for such a fragile material
Condition is good with some minor gaps where tiny pearls are adrift but does not detract from it's sublime beauty and elegance
12 cms long, 5 cms high
450
C19th Velvet Bolero
Made by the revered costumier Auguste & Cie from Paris, designing costumes for the ballet, opera and theatre in Paris & London from 1880. Considered so important in the world of historical costume that the V&A Museum have some of his pieces in their achives, some on recent display
This superb bolero jacket of rich purple velvet with cream lace cuffs and elaborate passementarie trim is a rare survivor and beautifully made in quality, design and cut. The filigreed metal pom poms are particularly lovely and the lining is of a small squared ivory quilting in silk
The black and gold sewn label is clearly original, shouting it's provenance with the royal coat of arms and plume of feathers for the reign of Queen Victoria & Prince Albert
As illustrated, the velvet is very worn away in the front panels and some poms poms are missing but a genuine piece of couture in the history of costume & perfectly wearable
Size is small, UK 6
320
Vintage Bakelite Necklace
A truly fabulous Art Deco long selection of black, amber and cream bakelite beads on black knotted thread in different shapes and sizes with a nod to the Egyptian Revival Movement in the 1920's, after the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb
The cream coloured beads are carved with hieroglyphics and the long drop pendant contains a fitted glass perfume vial with original stopper inside it's cavity
Condition is good with some surface wear and a loss to the inside of the pendants thread. Seals perfectly well
26 inches long
120
Antique Birchwood Hat Box
A medium sized birchwood 3ply circular hat box with matching well fitted flat lid and perforated metal bindings/protectors, made in the early part of the 20th century.
This style of hat box was mass produced and manufactured in Estonia by the Russian company Luterma, established in 1897 and distributed by the British 'Venesta Plywood Company', founded in 1908. The name Venesta was a combination of the words 'veneers' and 'Estonia'
In 1930 the US luggage manufacturer Samson, later Samsonite, copied the design, adding an extra reinforced layer of ply to the top and bottom of the boxes (this box does not have the extra layer)
Along with other products such as pails, crates and chests these hat boxes were the most popular and came in four different sizes 'made to nest'
Condition has surface wear and remains of the leather straps only, good colour.
No stamp
15 inches in diameter
9.5 inches high
Early c20th Cornish Dolls
Two characters in original costume from Cornwall. A pirate with peg leg, eye patch and red headscarf and a jolly sailor with barrel chest and stripey blue and white jersey with matching cap & cotton fishermans smock
Sculpted from plaster hands, lower limbs and head, these have then been hand-painted with a varnished finish and made in the 1950's by a group of ladies from Looe. Scarce to find and known as Shallowpool Toys
Both are approx 8 inches long
78 each
Georgian Papier Mache Card Case
A lovely example of a double-sided Georgian card case in 'ox blood' red leather with a removable inner sleeve and expanding sides
The papier mache panels front and back are exquistely painted and lacquered, a lovers scene on one side and a woman in red velvet dress & lace veil with rich adornments
Some surface wear
measures 13.5 cms x 6.5 cms
145
Georgian Silk Layette Pillow
Dating from around the early part of the nineteenth century, this is a superb example of a birth pillow or christening cushion using teeny steel pins to decorate and write messages for a newborn baby.
Made of silk over strong calico with a wide fringing, there are the remains of a blue silk ribbon around the edge & the pins all look to be present. This one is filled with fine sand so has a good weight of approx 500g
There is some detachment of the upper fringe and surface wear, no holes
16 cms x 12 cms, 6cms high
110
