‘ANTIQUE AFTERNOON’

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 258, 28 July 1941, Page 4

‘ANTIQUE AFTERNOON’

Interesting Relics Shown . At E.S.U. Many interesting -relics from the past were displayed at the “antique afternoon” held by women members of the English Speaking Union in Wellington on Friday. There was a varied collection of quaint and rare things and each guest had something to ten of the history of the article she had on display. First used in the days of the Napoleonic wars, a homely stuffed doll, that has served three generations of small girls within the family, created interest. Its features were notunlike those of its modern prototype, but the costume consisted of a long fine lawn frock, and its head and shoulders were swathed in hooded cloak. Another toy, in wood, was of a man dressed in knee breeches and tailed coat, whose arms and legs were moved by means of a small lever. 1 black lacquered work box which had probably graced the sewing table of some early Victorian, contained ivory cotton reels, on which the thread was wound, and a delicate ivory fan. It is doubtful if many people today would understand the use of. a table damp in sewing. In the days when long seams were hand-sewn, this article was screwed to the table edge and the seam held over the leathercushioned top, thus making the job in hand lighter. A lucky Scots wall talisman, in china, more than 100 years old, had the bagpipes prominently displayed above a coat of arms. Worn at the Battle of Naseby, when King Charles was routed by Cromwell, nearly 300 years ago, a rusted iron spur was exhibited by one woman, who also showed a perfect example of a silhouette photograph, the forerunner of the art of photography as it is known today. The work was all hand done and touched with gold, making it very rare. It was explained that 100 years ago it was not beauty of face so much as beautiful shoulders which were prized by women, and this picture featured the delicately sloping shoulders of a relative who was noted for them, pieces of jewellery included a brooch made from the first quartz brought out of the Thames gold mine. A heavy gold locket on a linked chain, nearly 100 years old, would, be prized by modern wearers, for this type of neckwear has once again come into favour. A brooch, and a silver fish slice that had been brought to New Zealand in 1840 were other objects of interest. Small oval lenses, in a tortoiseshell frame made spectacles of 140 years ago, that were on view. Other things included an old etching by John Lynch, 1837, a netted bag lined with Old World chintz and a linen cover edged with fine knitted crochet work.

“I hope I shall not be thrown out of the room,” laughingly said the person who exhibited an old German Iron Cross, more as a eurio than an antique article of value. It bore the words “For Culture,” and had been unearthed when a Wellington building was demolished many years ago. Mrs. E. D. Good was in the chair. Miss van Staveren gave a bracket of songs, accompanied by Miss Mclntosh. A bring-and-buy stall was well stocked and added to the funds for the war work group.