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.
Featured in the April 23 Homes & Interior sale is a wonderful private collection of Georgian shoe buckles. Inherited from the vendor’s parents, and even from their grandparents, they were acquired over a prolonged period with antique shops and Portobello market being popular hunting grounds.
19 April 2024
The Homes & Interiors Department are delighted to present a collection of military campaign medals. The 33 lots, sold by a local lady whose late husband was a keen collector, include an example of the most famous gallantry medals - the Waterloo Medal.
19 April 2024
The Sculpture Park is an online sale running from 26 April to 19 May featuring over 400 lots which are part of an enormous collection of modern and contemporary sculpture assembled by the renowned artist, collector and dealer, Eddie Powell. With estimates ranging from £200-300 to £400,000-600,000 there is something to suit all budgets.
15 April 2024