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.
The Fine Interiors team feel privileged that, for the third time, Sir Rod has asked us to disperse items from his family home in the Essex countryside.
29 November 2023
Sworders are extremely privileged to announce the sale of the contents of the West London flat of Maurice Turpin (1928-2005) in a single-owner sale on 25 January 2024.
24 November 2023
With our 'Paint. Print. Sculpt.' Sale open for bidding, our team of Modern & Contemporary Art specialists share their top lots.
23 November 2023