A collection of collections

Tennants Auctioneers’ sale of Antique and Vintage Costume and Textiles on 18th August is set to include several fascinating private collections, from 18th century costume to children’s clothes from Uzbekistan and exquisitely made dolls house furnishings. The sale is not to be missed for fans of historic textiles and vintage fashion.

Put together by a private collector from Gloucestershire over a number of years is a collection of Central and South East Asian textiles, which includes brightly coloured children’s clothes and hats, 19th century Miao baby carriers, robes from Turkmenistan and much more. Sure to be one of the most sought after pieces in the collection is a Suzani type Toran, or decorative embroidered door hanging from Central Asia (estimate: £150-£250 plus buyer’s premium).

From rather closer to home comes a Private Family Collection from North Yorkshire consisting of 18th century costumes and accessories. Beautifully preserved in a family home, the collection includes a range of embroidered silk waistcoats, with one particularly fine example being a cream silk waistcoat dating from c.1780, embroidered in coloured silks with floral garlands and sprigs (estimate: £300-£500 plus buyer’s premium). Also of note is a fine hand painted Chinese silk robe, decorated in flowers with very well preserved colouring.

For dolls house aficionados is a Private Collection of fine dollhouse furniture and furnishings along with two dollhouses and many other accessories. Many of the furnishings are from leading makers, such as Vic Newey and Tarbena Miniatures, and the furnishings have been grouped into themed lots, with estimates starting at £60-100 plus buyer’s premium.

The sale will also include two small family archives from textile manufacturers – Jean Gossein, a lace designer and Elliott Hosiery manufacturers. Jean René Joseph Gossein (1890-1971) was born in Sangatte, Pas-de-Calais in 1890, but moved to England to work as a French lace maker, first in Derbyshire before establishing his own company in Nottingham. Jean designed and hand drew all of his samples for lace making, but he also produced hand painted designs for wallpaper, linoleum, carpets and rugs. Many of his designs for lace and home furnishings are now up for sale, including samples of lace patterns. Also up for sale are silk and woollen underwear and sundry items from the Elliott Hosiery factory in Swanwick, Derbyshire. Founded by Stephen Elliott, the factory operated between 1847 and 1950, and every piece produced was marked with a letter ‘E’ or ‘Swanwick’. Sold alongside the hosiery are family photographs and a pair of shoes worn by Harriet Elliott.  

Illustrated:

A selection of Central and South East Asian Textiles

Lady's Cream Silk 18th Century Part Robe (sold together with a waistcoat) Estimate: £200-300

A Selection of Dolls House Items