Parasol with cream Maltese lace on silk canopy, carved ivory stick with coral tip, made in England, 1830-1870

Eight-sided parasol of white ribbed silk covered in English tape lace and Maltese silk lace. The tube is made of carved ivory with a hinged joint to allow it to fold down to half the length. The joint is secured with an engraved silver collar, showing delicate flowers and a zigzag edging. The tube ends with another silver collar and a branch of red coral.

Given by J. Bray, Esq.

Description from the acquisition register

Parasol of white ribbed silk, covered with English tape lace filled in with twisted and plaited threads and button-hole stitches, and further trimmed with Maltese pillow-made silk lace. The stick is of carved ivory with silver mount, terminating in a piece of branching red coral.

Eight-sided. The tape lace has an irregular pattern of thick stems bearing leaves and large conventional flowers with diaper fillings-in, connected by ties of brides picotées. There are two scalloped borders of Maltese lace, one wide and the other narrow; the wider border is filled with Maltese crosses. scrolled bands and plaited ornament resembling grains of wheat. The slender stick folds into two portions, the lower one of squared baluster shape separated by six narrow bands of ornament. The silver mounts are chased and engraved with flowers and a small cartouche. There is a loop of white silk cord with double tassels attached to a round ivory knob at the upper end of the parasol.

English; first half of the 19th century.

214-1904