The Fashion, Costume and Textiles Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 24th May is set to contain a number of good private collections, including selected property from Dutton Manor, Lancashire comprising costume, accessories and textiles. Highlights of the collection include a late 19th century Crewel Work Curtain decorated with floral designs and birds as well as a hunting scene (estimate: £300-500 all figures exclude buyer’s premium), and an early 20th century Court Uniform belonging to Mr Norman Dugdale, sold together with a photograph of Mr and Mrs Dugdale and invitation to the Coronation of Elizabeth II (estimate: £300-500).
A Private Collection of Costume and Accessories from the West of England was put together by Geraldine Wynn Marchand, who worked at Bath Fashion Museum for over 25 years and lectured on the history of costume to a wide variety of organisations. Her passion for clothes and accessories, from antique hatpins to geometric dresses, has spanned a lifetime. Highlights of her collection include a group of circa 1900 and later shoes and accessories (estimate: £100-150), and a circa 1920s Floral Chiffon Evening Dress with a Rust Coloured Two-Piece Outfit (estimate: £150-250).
A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood costume, featuring designs from her iconic 1995 ‘Vive La Cocotte’ and 1994 Café Society collections will also be on offer in the sale. The current owner of the collection was a punk in her youth and had long loved the infamous 430 Kings Road shop in London, established by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren in 1971 to showcase their ‘clothes without rules’. Following the relocation of the Vivienne Westwood shop in Manchester following the 1996 IRA bombing, the designer sent up runway pieces from her studio, where the vendor of the collection picked up some fabulous pieces. Starring in the sale is the Tartan Experience Jacket and Skirt from the ‘Vive La Cocotte’ Collection – a vibrant, intricately tailored outfit in Lochcarron wool tartan (estimate: £700-1,000). This particular collection is legendary amongst fashion enthusiasts, for Westwood’s use of glamour over punk; she took as her influence the high society fashions of the French court in the 17th and 18th centuries, giving historic silhouettes a contemporary twist.
Stylish 1970s outfits from private vendors include an Ossie Clark for Radley Cream Moss Crepe Mini Dress, which was the vendor’s wedding dress (estimate: £200-300), and an Ossie Clark Red Moss Crepe Long Dress (estimate: £300-500). From an earlier era is a lot of two good early 20th century Chinese Winter Robes (estimate: £250-350), and a circa 1930s Pink Silk Chiffon and Cut Velvet Evening Coat (estimate: £200-300).
Further highlights in the sale include an early 20th century Ashley Down Orphanage Sampler, worked in Bristol in 1902 (estimate: £600-800), and a 19th century Darning Sampler (estimate: £400-600). These are joined by two early 20th century Silver Roller Skate Pin Cushions (estimate: £300-500), and a good selection of 17th and 18th century textiles including a collection of 18th century silks (estimate: £100-200), and an early 17th century Forehead Cloth (estimate: £200-300).
Finally, amongst the toys in the sale is a French Tete Jumeau Bisque Socket Head Bebe Doll (estimate: £700-1,000), an early 20th century Steiff Plush Mohair Standing Pig (estimate: £150-250), and an early 20th century Lines of London ‘Sportiboy’ Dappled Grey Rocking Horse (£400-600).
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