A collapsible silk top hat - perfect for a Victorian night at the opera, or a 20th century magic trick - comes for sale on July 20.
Our Homes & Interiors sale on Tuesday 20 July includes the novelty hat, made by Gibus of 10 Chandles Street, Trafalgar Square alongside a presentation wand given to a member of the Magic Circle with a guide of £80-120.
Antoine Gibus was a Parisian hatmaker who, during the early 19th century, had solved a problem with which wearers of the top hat were well acquainted. Rather than seek a place to hang one’s silk topper, he created a hat, using a system of steel springs, that could be collapsed flat!
The wand, with silver mounts and a presentation inscription to John Holt, Esq M.M.C. 1963 has a terminal enamelled with the signs of the zodiac. It comes in a silk lined case for John Finches, London.
Building on the success of the first event held in partnership with Britten Pears Arts in autumn 2025, Sworders’ team of specialists will return to Snape Maltings on Wednesday 11 February for the next in its series of Art & Antiques Valuation Days.
19 January 2025
Our upcoming Design auction offers carefully crafted pieces by designers and brands that have collaborated to create distinctive, high‑quality furniture, such as Heal's and Fritz Hansen.
15 January 2026
We are proud to announce that The HALO Trust has been selected as our Charity of the Year for 2026, and throughout the year, we’ll be supporting HALO’s lifesaving work through fundraising and education, whilst championing their mission.
14 January 2025