Costume, Accessories & Textiles

Tennants is one of the only UK auctioneers to hold dedicated sales of Costume, Accessories & Textiles. The specialist department handles an extraordinary range of collector’s items and fashion from the 17^th century to the present day. Attracting both specialist collectors and private buyers looking for affordable and wearable vintage clothes, the sales include:

• Antique costume and accessories from the 17^th century to the early 20^th century
• Vintage costume and accessories from the 1940s to the 1980s, with bespoke tailored pieces for both men and women alongside designer labels such as Jean Muir, Ossie Clark, Mary Quant, vintage Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent
• Modern designer clothes and luxury leather goods from the top names in fashion such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Dior and Alexander McQueen
• World costume and textiles, including Chinese robes and African costume
• Quilts and fine household linens from the 17^th century onwards
• Antique lace and lace-making tools from the major centres of production such as Brussels and Honiton
• Haberdashery and Sewing Accessories
• Samplers, embroideries and woolwork pictures
• Antique and collectable dolls from makers such as Jumeau, Gebruder Heubach and Gaultier along with dolls houses and accessories
• Teddy bears and soft toys by the likes of Steiff, Bing, Chad Valley and Merrythought

The department specialises in selling private collections of costume and collectable items, and works hand in hand with The Garden Rooms team to display collections ahead of sale. Recent private collections sold include a Collection of Rare Knitting Sheaths and Audrey’s Wardrobe, a personal wardrobe of high street clothes from the 1960s.

We are now inviting entries for our forthcoming sales. If you have items you would like to consign, please request a free valuation using the link below.

Request a free valuation >