Vintage Fashion & Textiles

A recent Fine & Decorative sale at Roseberys (26/25% buyer’s premium) was led by a very fine Berlin tapestry.

'The London Antique Rug & Textile Art Fair' (LARTA) was launched in 2011 and is the UK’s leading annual fair dedicated to the appreciation of antique rug and textile art.

Go East Vintage was launched in London in 2021 by Louisa Ware and Onur Kurtdere and in the subsequent years their pop-up fleamarkets have included the Hackney Brewery and venues in Stratford, Leyton and Bermondsey.

A Books, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs sale that ran online at Bonhams Knightsbridge (28/27/21/14.5% buyer’s premium) included a fine group of Suffragette textiles. A particular rarity is the Votes for Women ‘motoring’ scarf.

Initially conceived of and worn by Madame de Montespan, Louis XIV’s most prominent mistress, to conceal her pregnancies, the robe à la française or sack-back dress became a dominant form of fashion in the mid- to late-18th century.

Pin cushions, including an early 19th century example made from a silk dress believed to be worn by Caroline of Brunswick (1768-1821), were a major feature of a recent auction at Warwick-based Bleasdales’ (20% buyer’s premium).

The spectacular Victorian and Edwardian firework displays conducted by the venerable Mitcham firm of James Pain & Sons were often accompanied by special silk souvenir programmes.

Manual relating to church charity schools is the latest example of its type to impress in a saleroom

It is said Louis Vuitton spent 17 years mastering the art of trunk making before establishing his eponymous company in 1854.

Farm buildings and more humble structures can provide ideal showcases for antiques businesses

A remarkably well-preserved blue sprang sash, dated c.1620, was the stand-out lot in a sale of textiles and antiques at Cirencester auction house Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).

This late Tudor or early Stuart purse or sweet bag with a connection to Mary, Queen of Scots sold for £30,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at a recent sale at Hutchinson Scott.

Four items including an Irish harp and William Morris designs boasted a family connection to the artist

The highest price at auction for a Bristol orphanage sampler was registered at Mellors & Kirk (24% buyer’s premium) in Nottingham.