Monday 21 March 2011

History lessons, hats and handmades......


 Two original 18th century copper engravings purchased at the Fair in Kendal yesterday.....portraits of 17th century gentlemen, resplendant in their curly hair wigs.


 George Saville.....Marquis of Halifax ( 1633-1695 ) Statesman, Writer and Politician whose famous quote....

" Education is what remains when we have forgotten all that we have been taught" 

  George Hamilton....Earl of Orkney ( 1666-1737 ) British Soldier and Nobleman who attained the promotion of Field Marshall in 1736 a year before he died.
This was the first title of Field Marshall to be handed out in the British Army and was awarded to this gentleman way before that famous Field Marshall Montgomery in World War 2.


A slightly battered hatbox containing.......



A top hat with velvet pads either side for keeping it in tip top condition.


Made in Piccadilly, London by Woodrow for a gentleman's outfitter in the North of England.



The sweetest cotton bonnet with drawstring tape to pull and secure onto its owners head......reminds me of dippy Minnie from Larkrise to Candleford!


A 19th century butter box mould with a hand carved base comprising a geometric pattern with a simple heart.
This would produce a pattern on the top of the butter when the mould was inverted and the sides released.
Even the little pegs are intact.


The cutest little child's basket measuring 9ins from the top of the handle to the base....


And finally some lovely, handmade gypsy clothes pegs.....


Known as "gypsy clothes pegs" because it was the travelling gypsies who made and sold them in villages and towns throughout Britain.
Each peg was made from a piece of wood..... split lengthways and held together with nailed-on strips of tin.

I wonder how many sheets and clothes these pegs have seen?

Far nicer than my blue plastic clip ones....I think I might try them tomorrow on my washing line, as it looks like good drying weather is on the cards for the next few days.
I do love washing dried on the line and it certainly looks far more appealing than draped on radiators.....

Roll on Springtime....
Julie x

13 comments:

  1. Lovely finds as always Julie and I want them all!! I agree I love drying washing on the line, especially bath towels, they always smell so lovely. Have a great week, and yes, roll on Spring.
    Jo xx

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  2. Oh what a lovely basket . . . . baskets are my one weakness!!
    Love Helen xx

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  3. I love that sweet little basket and the butter box and pegs and the fabric behind is rather special too. Thanks for the comments. I think we will be coming back to the Lakes in the summer, so hopefully I will be able to make it to one of your fairs.Love Linda x

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  4. You always find such lovely things Julie... I would like the butter mould and basket please!
    I like drying clothes outside too, but the birds like to drop their poo!! :)
    Abby x

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  5. What wonderful things you bought,
    but my favorites are the things of wood
    and cap, all very fascinating.
    A hug
    SUSY ° °

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  6. Beautiful finds as always... I am afraid I still use my brightly coloured 1960's clothes pegs on the line as they never mark the clothing (and in my line of business that is important!) Lizzie x

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  7. I am always so envious of the things you find but I am drooling at that butter mould which would look perfect in my kitchen!
    Ruth x

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  8. You always find super stuff. My favourite is the butter mould - it would look good beside my 'antique' Indonesian spice box(they use old wood to make the boxes, then sell them as 'antique')

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  9. What great things! Absolutely love the top hat - even the box is amazing!
    Liz

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  10. Good finds, Julie! Love the butter mould. Yes, nothing beats line-dried washing. Abby x

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  11. Thanks for the greetings Julie, I am homesick for England now! Love Linda x

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  12. I love this post, Julie, fascinating objects and snippets of history, thank you! xx

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  13. I've used 'gypsy' clothes pegs for over 30 years - they're just the thing for firmly holding thick items on the line and they look so much less tacky than the little plastic ones.

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