A rare antique millinery tool, this hat stretcher has a tap attachment which would have been connected to a gas supply and then used to warm the stretcher to make shaping and enlarging a hat much easier

The gas ones are early example later replaced by an electirc heating element

There is no manufacturers name,

A very wonderful antique ecclesiastical textile heavily encrusted with gold work florals, I particularly like the combination of the crimson velvet and gold

Small tie at the back for hanging, back lined with glazed cotton

In perfect antique condition

84cm by 62cm at the widest point 

French copper is everywhere at brocantes but occassionally you come across a piece that immediately stands out from the rest, this 19th century colander is one of those

These are rarities, I have only ever seen one other passoire,

 An exceptional hand stitched 19th century quilt with a dense diamond pattern centre, a second loop stitch border around the centre panel and narrow bands of stitching on the four sides to create an outer border.

The fabric used on one side of the quilt is a beautiful pink Paisley with red highlights,

Black and white enamel signs are a much rarer find and this is a beauty, solid and heavy weighing 3.5kg, moulded metal with a bevelled surround,

A hand stitched 19th century quilt with a diamond pattern centre and narrow bands of stitching on the four sides to create a border.

The same fabric has been used on both sides of the quilt, a soft weave cotton decorated with vibrant pink blooms shaded with green and wine red and bands of ombre shading,

Taken from a prayer bench this large religious tapestry has amazing detail and symbolism

It is worked in a mix of wool and glazed cotton entirely by hand and with great skill

Amazingly for the age it is in perfect condition, no loss of thread anywhere, the colours are still strong and there are no marks or stains,

The very detailed work and tiny stitching in this antique hand made tapestry is what make it special, a textile work of art full of faded grandeur.

Formally a seat back on a large chair it has cut outs for the positioning of the arms and you can see where it is less faded where the base was tucked behind the seat pad,

This magnificent manuscript in faded sepia hand written script on vellum is dated 1597, as my Latin is rusty I can't tell you much about it except at a later date someone has added a note re a codicil but what a thrill to handle something 429 years old, laid out as flat as I dare it measures 24" by 18"

These superb dress embellishments are huge, I had some difficulty working out how they were arranged so I hope the photos do them justice as they are magnificent 

The main sections are made from a tulle decorated with glass seed and barrel beads, which have a grey hue, to create the pattern,

From a large portiere curtain there are two panels of this soft drape jaquard weave textile with lovely flower basket and bow motifs in muted russet tones

Each panel measures 94"/240cm long by 48"/122cm wide,

Charming embroidered French heirloom linen sheet with matching pillow sham, I've not come across one with a matching pillow cover before. Dating from the late 1910's/1920's, the hem of the sheet is beautifully decorated with butterflies,

Late 19th/early 1900's French avocat lawyer's toque hat in it's original box with the avocats name label on the side and inside the lid

The hat in perfect antique condition, no damage to the velvet or silk fabrics and the silver metallic braid is intact but slightly oxidised

M.

So hard to find sets of 12 now, these early 1900's cotton napkins are lovingly embroidered with the initials in red cross stitch

They have a patterned chequerboard weave with narrow line borders

Well used but still with lots of life left in them,

Fabulous antiquarian book for props, looks like a book of spells from a horror movie, with an amazing aged leather cover and spine with gilt decoration, perfectly distressed for supporting favourite antique treasures

It is a religious tome dated 1656,

Light and delicate late 1800's/turn of the century piano shawl with long fringe in good enough condition to wear for a costume event and also beautiful to use for décor

The silk is woven with a plaid pattern,

Fabulous vintage 1920's/30's striped Basque table linen set, made in the traditional diamond weave of these regional textiles

This is a particularly heavy and excellent quality set, the red and green decoration is woven into the fabric not printed and has the feel of embroidery,

An evocative pair of Victorian lace up boots, showing their years of service with an excellent a timeworn look, good for displaying and okay to wear, the leather is sturdy and would improve with treatment if you wish

Original soles, one heel base has crumbled

I don't believe I have ever seen anything as wonderful as this white stump work embroidery panel, I believe that is a Duke's crown, along with the Fleur de Lys adding to the symbols of French aristocracy, sewn with thread in multiple directions to give that raised three dimensional effect,

Two iconic vintage prints of  The Gleaners" (Les Glaneuses) by Jean-François Millet, originally completed in 1857 and The Angelus, very well mounted in gold card with matching gold frames, they have hardwood backs, in great condition

Willing to sell separately if you want 

A large and heavy jet bead decorative collar from the 1800's with a classic Victorian high neck, a remarkable costume accessory.

There is some damage on the neck which with repair would not detract, and centre front some loose threads need tidying

A very attractive antique 19th century cast iron jardiniere, the original weathered chippy white enamel paint would suit a monochrome shabby chic decor, I think the look is perfect, these are usually too big and heavy for me to consider shipping but this is small and perfect for slipping in a small parcel weighing only 2.5kg,

An unusual and rare piece, this Barbotine Majolica spittoon is likely from a tabac bar but around here possibly for spitting out your wine after a tasting, gorgeous rich coloured glaze and quite the conversation piece, perfect condition 

Gorgeous old pair of tailor's scissors still sharp and useable with some surface rust 

They are marked Boucher Fab (Fabrique) A Paris, 6 Rue des Maronites

37cm/ 15" long

Garden Brocante, position this pair vintage of zinc floats as accents amongst a collection of pails and watering cans of zinc planted with greenery for a fresh  and modern rustic garden display

Both are marked along with a charming lighthouse logo

Approximate height 20cm, weight together 2.8kg 

Superb group of three antiquarian book beautifully decayed ideal for props, messy, tatty, amazing frothy pages, perfectly distressed for supporting favourite antique treasures

They are three volumes of Encylopedia of Sciences, Arts and Trades dated 1776 

Each one measures 27cm by 20cm and 7cm thick.

Late 1800's gothic style metal candle lantern was made for use in religious processions and events and would have been attached to a pole for carrying so it swung as you walked.

A bit battered and timeworn, perfect for a romantic shabby chic décor,

French legal manuscript written in 1613, the date can be read at the top in words and then at a later date, but not recently, the date has been added in ink numerically 

The wonderful swirling script is near impossible to read so we can't tell you what it contains,

A pair of romantic late 1800's appliqué lace curtains in good condition, only one tiny hole around a flower that needs stitching, long and narrow to suit the style of a period French house window, these look stunning for framing a boudoir window or doorway or for props, 230cm by 46cm,

These used to be a Brocante staple, now they are a find to get excited about as they become rarer, hemp was grown in the countryside, loomed on the farm and made into clothing, textiles for the house and for use in farming and food production.

These sheets have a variety of natural colours, superb textures,

Traditional set of storage canister in blue and white marble incorporating enamel labelling

Slightly chippy but not too battered, the lids on the Sucre and Epices may not be original, they fit perfectly but they are plain white,

Three early 1900's asparagus plates with transfer decoration and moulded drain and reserve for the butter

9" diameter, note one plate has an old chip

Late 1800's striking lace collar decorated with metallic sequins and small jet beads and finished with a silk fringe.

In good antique condition, the ground has faded to an antique black, and a stitch or two is nedded to tack parts of the fringe back on

This huge chunky pewter charger dating from the 19th century is a beauty, a fabulous French farmhouse staple showing all its history in its patina, dings and scratches, it would make a fabulous serving dish, cheese board or period touch to a country style décor

Fantastic dark antique patina as it is,

Fabulous antiquarian book for props, looks like a book of spells from a horror movie, messy, tatty, amazing frothy pages, perfectly distressed for supporting favourite antique treasures

It is a religious tome, can't find a date but suspect 17th or early18th century,

Two rare moulded glass grave marker decorative plaques circa 1910's, these were mounted on the gravestone with the loved ones photograph in the centre domed vignette, they are similar but not a pair, the design slightly differs

The colour of the amethyst glass is beautiful, darker in one than the other but both stunning,