Costume, Accessories and Textiles from the 17th to 21st Century are to go under the hammer in Tennants Auctioneers’ Sale on 21st November. Rare embroidered historic costume and accessories sit alongside luxury modern Chanel handbags and chic pieces from the 1920s.
The earliest item in the sale is a late 17th Century Stumpwork Picture depicting Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, standing amongst all manner of flora and fauna including a tiger and a parrot (estimate: £3,000-5,000 all prices quoted exclude buyer’s premium). The embroidery comes with provenance from the Grenside family, who have had connections with Yorkshire since William Grenside came down from Scotland with James I and settled in the county. The picture was purchased during the reign of James II, and it appears that it has been kept in the same family ever since.
A Private Collection of antique embroidered textiles in the sale is led by a rare example of an English stomacher, made circa 1720 (estimate: £600-800). The stomacher comprises stiffened linen decorated with flower in coloured silk embroidery. The stomacher is joined by 18th century silks, embroidered pocketbooks, and pineapple fibre workbags which were made in the Philippines for the European and American markets. The collection also includes 19th century dolls, such as an early 19th century papier-mâché head and shoulders doll (estimate: £200-300).
A further Private Collection of quilts is included in the sale. Highlights of which include wedding quilts, a Donegal craft-made quilt, and a late 18th century silk patchwork bed cover which by family repute came from Ightham Mote, Kent (estimate: £800-1,200).
A good selection of period and modern costume in the sale includes a late 18th century dress made from Chinese cream silk, hand painted with flowers for the Western market (estimate: £1,200-1,800). Other items of note include a circa 1870/80 Aesthetic Movement black silk robe, decorated with a feather design (estimate: £100-150), and a circa 1993/4 Azzedine Alaia Collection black leather skirt (estimate: £300-500).
Modern luxury accessories are also well represented, with covetable lots including a Hermes Cognac Leather Birkin Bag (estimate: £1,000-1,500), and a Louis Vuitton LV monogrammed canvas suitcase (estimate: £700-1,000). Further examples of handbags and accessories by the likes of Chanel, Gucci and Vivienne Westwood are also on offer.
Nearly 400 lots of Fans and Fancies will also be sold at Tennants on 20th November. The sale will feature fans and accessories from a Major European Collection including exquisite 18th century embroidered caps. The fans from this collection, with lace leaves of every variety, are complemented by a Brussels lace fan from another vendor signed by the Parisian fan maker Alexandre, featuring silk panels painted with characters from the Commedia Della Arte (estimate: £750-1,000). Also included in the sale are two fine quality collections from deceased estates. Highlights include a good Chinese Mandarin fan with tortoiseshell monture, and a Chinese carved tortoiseshell brisé. The very feminine fancies will include Mother of Pearl accessories and a large cream Canton shawl embroidered very vibrantly with fans.
View Costume, Accessories & Textiles Sale
View Fans & Fancies Sale
