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.
Sworders feel privileged to be entrusted to disperse this select group of items from the deeply cherished personal collection of the late Hermann Baer (1898-1977), including antique Italian maiolica and German faience.
8 May 2024
The Homes & Interiors Department is delighted to offer items from one of London’s most exclusive areas, Knightsbridge, in their 14 May sale.
7 May 2024
Following on from the hugely successful sale of the contents of the late Maurice ‘Dick’ Turpin’s Barons Keep residence earlier this year at Sworders, we are excited to unveil further of his treasures in our forthcoming Fine Jewellery sale on Tuesday 21 May.
2 May 2024