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Pretty in Pastel Pink

“The tones of grey, pale turquoise and pink will prevail.” – Christian Dior (French fashion designer).

 

The theme for "Looking Close on Friday" for the 10th of January is "objects in pastel colours". When it was my birthday last year ago, a very dear friend who enjoys photography as much as I do, and knows that I collect beautiful and vintage pieces, gave me a wonderful selection of antique ribbons, buttons, buckles, lace and other fine notions. She also gave me three follow up tins of similar delightful gifts for Christmas last year. That has sent me down the rabbit hole of adding to and expanding my collection of vintage notions quite substantially. Thus when the theme was announced, I had no difficulty in finding an interesting assortment of items to create a pale pink still life as a submission for the theme. I hope you like my choice for this week’s theme and that it makes you smile!

 

This still life consists of an interesting assortment of items which include:

 

A half-doll still in situ in her original pincushion. The "half-doll" is a dainty porcelain or bisque figurine, fashionable in the early Twentieth Century with an upper body, head, arms, but no legs. These dolls were produced in the thousands at the height of their popularity by German factories such as Dressel and Kister, Heubach, Goebel and Kestner. Later they were produced in France, America and later still, in Japan. They commonly served as handles and toppers for fabric covers made for powder boxes on ladies’ dressing tables and small brushes, however they were also made for jewellery boxes, pincushions, tea cosies and other covers. In this case, my German half-doll is still attached to her original pincushion. She has been hand painted.

 

A small 1920s Art Deco Roger and Gallet “Bouquet Nouveau” face powder, made in Paris and sold through the most exclusive and fashionable department store Melbourne ever saw: George’s of Collins Street.

 

A pastel pink 1930s Art Deco Bakelite buckle.

 

Two spools of Sylko Pale Pink Salmon cotton and one spool of Sylko Orchid cotton, all dating from between 1938 and 1954. Belle Vue Mill, commonly known as Dewhurst’s, was built by Thomas Dewhurst in 1828. It opened in 1829 as John Dewhurst & Sons and was one of Skipton’s largest spinning and weaving mills. The mill’s position next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal meant that raw cotton could be shipped in by boats from Liverpool. Finished goods would then be sent back the same way ready for distribution. Coal to power the machine’s steam engines was also delivered by barge. In 1897 Dewhurst’s was bought by the English Sewing Cotton Co. It continued to produce Sylko, one of the mill’s most famous products. It was produced in over 500 colours and sold throughout the world. Sylko cottons are still available at haberdashers today.

 

Two tiny three millimetre 1920s Art Deco shell glove buttons etched with stylised roses.

 

An Edwardian carved ivory handled button hook.

 

A 1940s fabric rose corsage.

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Uploaded on January 9, 2025
Taken on December 29, 2024