Textiles and Stuff 

A most unusual and rare pair of 19th Century Victorian sandal boots, or Barrettes, which date from the 1870s. They are made of dark blue leather, bound with silk of a lighter blue and fastening with three spherical metal buttons into buttonholes from each side. At the top of the boot there is a flap which fastens with a hook and eye and conceals the top button. The sandals are lined with cream kid, the sole is leather and the heels are of a stacked leather type. The sandals have seen quite a bit of wear. There is a little scuffing of the leather and the silk binding has worn away in some places, and one of the buttons is held in place with fine wire, but in view of their age and amount of use, they are in good condition. In their time these barrettes must have been the height of fashion, even a little daring, and were worn to show off coloured stockings, perhaps in a sporty environment or at the beach. They would make a most unusual addition to a collection. POSTAGE By Royal Mail Special Delivery or Airsure and insurance is included in the postal charge. I will always combine items for posting if you are making more than one purchase.

This is a most unusual Victorian bodice in a cotton print which has a very modern look about it. The bodice is made from an attractive navy blue and white print in an abstract design, with sleeves of machine lace, lined with satin. The yoke and stand up collar are made of the same lace and satin and the shape of the collar is marked with three lines of black velvet ribbon which also is used on the sleeves. The bodice fastens asymmetrically with a draped panel with hooks and eyes to one side and underneath the basic bodice fastens centrally with hooks and eyes. The bodice is also trimmed with wider velvet ribbon, two pieces on each shoulder, with small cut steel buckles. The bodice is fully boned and has a waist tie fastened with hooks and eyes. The measurements (measured flat) are are follows: Bust: 32 inches Waist: 22 inches Sleeve length shoulder to hem: 24 1/4 inches Front length shoulder to hem: 19 inches The bodice is a small size, in fact I have no dress form small enough to display it and had to drape it on a larger one. There is some wear to the chiffon which lines the stand up collar and there is a small coloured stain on the front of the draped section of the bodice, which can be seen in the photographs. Otherwise it is in very good condition for its age and is wearable with care or as a template for creating a modern reproduction.

This is a good example of an antique crinoline silk day dress of the late 1860s. It is lilac in colour and is trimmed on the yoke and cuffs with bobbin lace of a Bedfordshire type. The bodice is fitted, with a narrow stand up collar and is lined in white cotton sateen. The yoke is trimmed with narrow dark lilac velvet ribbon in a folded line next to the lace. A row of decorative fabric buttons have been attached to the centre front. The bodice is not boned The sleeves are cut in a curved and tapered shape and also lined in cotton. The skirt seems to have been separate and attached in pleats to a waistband which is now missing, but the skirt has been lightly sewn to a modern band for photographic purposes. There are traces of former darts which have been unpicked. It is shown worn over a crinoline which is not included in the sale. The skirt is very full and is lined throughout in a stiff cotton fabric and the bottom hem is strengthened with a band of cotton sateen. There is a pocket in the side seam and the position seems to indicate that the skirt fastened at the front but not centrally. There is some damage. The stand up collar is a a little frayed at the edge and there is an area of weakness in one place in the skirt where there are some small holes. This can be seen in the fourth photograph. There is some staining under the arms and some areas of fading down one panel of the skirt and on the right hand side of the bodice and right sleeve. Some small brown spots can also be seen in the photo of the bodice and there are some on the skirt also. However, the general appearance of the dress is good for display, but I would not consider it robust enough for wear.

This is beautiful example of a white work collar in very fine cotton, embroidered with delicate sprays of mimosa and other flowers and varied leaves in groups at intervals round the outer edge. The neck edge is finely hemmed and the outer edge is finished with a border of handmade lace at the edge. The embroidery is slightly raised and looks almost padded and is really exquisite. The collar measures 38 cms/15 inches round the neck edge and the outer edge measures 78 cms/approx. 31 inches, The depth of the collar is 22 cms/8.5 inches inches at the centre back and 29 cms/11.5 inches at the front. The collar has been later attached to a yoke of net to eliminate stitching it to a garment in the style of a filler. This could easily be unpicked if desired. There are a two holes on the front at the neck edge one on each side, which can all be seen in the penultimate photograph and one in the net yoke. This is a lovely collar and would grace any collection or add authenticity to a period garment.

This is a lovely example of a Victorian bodice for a young girl dating from the 1860s. It is made of fine cream silk and is fitted to t he waist, with a low neckline. It is shaped with darts and the upper part is gently padded. It is fully lined in cotton and boned at the front and centre back, which was fastened with lacing with small eyelet holes. The lacing cord is not present. The sleeves are lined and the outer layer is ruched silk to give volume. They are gathered on to a band of darker silk with a frill of silk underneath. The armholes are defined with piping. The bodice is trimmed both at the neck edge and round the sleeves with bobbin lace of a Bedfordshire type. The condition is really excellent - there are no faults in the fabric and no signs of wear, which is most unusual in a garment of such an age.

These are some lengths of Victorian Hat Ribbon. it is woven in a width of just under 9 inches wide in a design of orange and purple flowers on a cream background, in ikat weave silk. There are several pieces, one piece of the full width 1 metre long, another full width 54 cms. long and one fragment 12 cms wide and 72 cms. long. It has not been used, but is showing a few signs of its age, some very small holes and imperfections. Nevertheless the colours are very fresh and it would be usable for trimming a period hat.

This is beautiful example of a white work collar in very fine cotton, embroidered with delicate sprays of flowers and finely pointed leaves in groups at intervals round the collar. The neck edge is finely hemmed and the outer edge is finished with small points which are the ends of narrow embroidered panels of two different designs. The collar measures just over 53 cms.(21 inches) round the neck edge and the outer edge measures approximately 125 cms.(49 inches). The depth of the collar is 15 cms. (6 inches) at the centre back and 29 cms (11 1/2 inches) at the front. There are a few very small holes at the centre back probably where a pin was inserted and a some tiny holes on the front near the neck edge, which can all be seen in the photographs. This is a lovely collar and would grace any collection or add authenticity to a period garment.

This is a very attractiveand elegant lady’s dress dating from the early 20th Century, made in white cotton broderie anglaise. The bodice fastens centrally with press studs (a later addition) with a very wide shawl collar and a stand up collar. It is slightly gathered at the waist. The sleeves fall fairly straight and have wide cuffs fastened with a hook and worked bar. The skirt has a wide panel of broderie anglaise at the front which extends at the hem right round the back in a wide border. The front panel fastens on the left side with a hook and bar. The peplum is attached at the back and opens at the front. Both the peplum and the skirt are gathered at the back, which suggests that the dress may have been worn with a small bustle. Measurements: Bust measured flat: 96 cms. (37.75 inches) Outside sleeve: 61cms. (24 inches) waist: 71 cms (28 inches) Length from shoulder to hem: 143 cms. (56.5 inches) Shoulder length 15 cms. (6 inches) Waist to hem 103 cms. (40.5 inches) The dress is in good used condition and strong enough to wear for a period event or theatre costume. There are a few very small repairs which are not noticeable including a join in the collar. There are also a few faint stains on the fabric as is often the case but these are not a major consideration.

This is a most attractive antique Edwardian evening skirt. It is made of black transparent fabric with an integral petticoat in black silk with a frill at the hem. The skirt is flared slightly from the waist and the godets which have been let in to the base of the skirt are decorated with ten horizontal frills in the same fabric and then outlined with a narrow black velvet ribbon threaded through a length of black lace. Each skirt panel is also outlined vertically in the same way with black velvet and lace. There is a large velvet bow stitched on vertically at the waist. The skirt fastens at the back with a placket with hooks and eyes. The measurements (taken flat) are as follows:- Length waist to hem: 41 inches Waist : 27 inches Hips: 44 inches This skirt is in good condition, very wearable for a period event or a theatre production, and a very flattering design.

This is a simple but attractive lady’s sun bonnet probably dating to the beginning of the 20th Century. It is made of a firm cotton in a pink shade and the main crown and the brim are stiffened with tucks containing narrow canes to give more form and shape. There are two tapes for tying under the chin and the crown is lined with white cotton. The back of the neck has a deep frill which is pleated and decorated with a large bow. The bonnet measures 22 inches (56 cms.) round the inside edge of the brim and 15.5 inches (39.5 cms.) round the neck edge. There are several dark marks on the bonnet and some of the canes are broken and just need some sections replacing, but otherwise it is complete and would be very suitable for a period event, enactment or theatrical performance

This is an beautiful antique shawl very finely machine-knitted in silk. It is oblong and has a design of flowers and leaves, with a fringe at both ends and is cream in colour. It is very light in weight. The shawl is large and measures 160 cms long and 125 cms wide ( 63 x 49 inches approximately). It is in very good condition for its age, but there are several small holes scattered over the area, some of which can be seen in the photographs, but these are unobtrusive and do not detract too much from the general appearance. This is an elegant shawl, very finely knitted, light and warm and would make a lovely addition to a period costume.

This is a very good quality antique bonnet in very fine needle run net. the crown of the bonnet which is gathered top and bottom is beautifully embroidered across most of the crown. The brim droops down each side in an elegant and flattering curve. It is trimmed with a length of white braid, which I believe is a later addition, and in fact this could be easily removed as it is only lightly stitched on, to return the bonnet to its original appearance. It seem too heavy to be original and not in period. There is a long length of white tape which is threaded through a number of loops at the back of the neck. Overall the bonnet is in very good condition for its age but there are some very small darns which can be seen in the photographs, and one area of weakness in the net. It would be a valuable addition to a collection, or suitable for period costume.