Learn about antiques and collectables...
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Learn about and understand the items, manufacturers, designers and periods as well as the specialist terms used in describing antiques and collectables. Either click one of the letters below to list the items beginning with that letter, or click on a category on the left side of the screen to list the items under that category.
Aubusson Tapestries and Carpets
Aubusson tapestries originated between the towns of Clermont-Ferrand and Limoges in a group of French tapestry workshops that developed from the 14th century, created by the arrival of weavers from Flanders. The finest and most famous tapestries were decorated with illustrations drawn from the fables of French poet Jean de La Fontaine, from historical etchings and of seascapes from the school of painter Claude Joseph Vernet.
In the 19th century production of tapestries in the 17th and 18th century style restarted. In 1939 a new production unit opened, with the patterns based on designs provided by contemporary artists such as Salvadore Dali, Jean Lurcat, Lucien Coutaud, Raoul Dufy, Pablo Picasso, and Marc Saint Saens. The British artist, Graham Sutherland, designed an Aubusson tapestry for Coventry Cathedral, which at the time was the world's largest vertical tapestry.
The Aubusson tapestry workshops continue operating to the present time, and in 2009 were placed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Beadwork / Bead Work (in Embroidery and Needlework
Beadwork in embroidery is a type of embroidery that involves adding beads to fabric to create decorative designs. The beads can be sewn onto the fabric using a needle and thread, or they can be attached using a variety of other techniques, such as beading wire or bead crochet. Beadwork is often used in conjunction with other embroidery techniques, such as cross-stitch and appliqué.
Beadwork has been used for decorative purposes for thousands of years, and it has been fashionable in many different cultures and time periods. In Western fashion, beadwork was popular in the 19th century, during the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and continued to be fashionable through the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1960s and 1970s, beadwork experienced a resurgence in popularity.
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Berlin Wool Work
Berlin wool work is a style of needlepoint, using wool yarn on canvas. Coloured patterns on squared paper were copied onto the canvas. By using many colours and hues of wool yarn, made possible by the great progresses made in dyeing in the 1830s, embroiderers were able to produce intricate three-dimensional scenes, through careful use of shading. Popular subjects included floral designs, Victorian paintings, biblical or allegorical motifs
Berlin work was used for covering chair-backs, seats and footstools in the Victorian era.
Boteh Motif
A boteh motif is a design element commonly found in traditional Persian and Central Asian rugs. It features a teardrop or pear shaped figure with a curved upper end and a pointed lower end, often with a curved stem and tendrils or leaves radiating out from the bottom. The boteh is thought to be a representation of a cypress tree, a symbol of spiritual growth and eternal life in ancient Persian culture, but it's also used as an ornamental motif in various art forms. It is also called Paisley design in Britain after the name of the town in Scotland famous for its weaving industry in the 19th century.
Gul
A gul is a motif commonly used in Oriental carpets, originally based on a rose, usually of stylised geometric (octagonal) form. The different tribes each have their own versions of the gul, enabling association of a rug with a particular tribal area.
Isfahan
Isfahan is ancient capital of Persia, located about 450 km south of the Tehran, the present capital of Iran.
The city was the site of the royal carpet manufactory during the Safavid era, and noted for its rich silk rugs that often incorporated gold and silver thread. The Safavid dynasty lasted from 1502 to the early 1700s, when the country was invaded by Afghans, at which time the craft of weaving became stagnant.
The craft was revived in the 1920s, with the region again producing fine quality rugs, and one of the most popular designs incorporating a central medallion with floral borders.
Jacquard Fabric
Jacquard fabric is woven on a jacquard loom, which allows intricate and complex patterns to be created. The jacquard loom is controlled by a system of punched cards or a computer program that controls the movement of the loom and allows for the creation of complex patterns in the fabric.
Jacquard fabric is known for its elaborate and detailed designs, which can include intricate floral patterns, geometric designs, and other complex motifs. The patterns are woven into the fabric, rather than printed or embroidered, which gives them a unique texture and depth.
Jacquard fabrics can be made from a variety of fibress, including silk, cotton, wool, and synthetic materials. They are often used for upholstery, drapery, and other decorative applications, as well as for clothing such as dresses, suits, and jackets.
Kilim / Kelim / Khelim / Ghilim Rugs
Kilim rugs are a type of flat-woven rug that originated in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. They are known for their distinctive designs, bright colours, and intricate patterns.
Kilim rugs are made by tightly weaving warp and weft threads together to create a flat surface. They are usually made of wool but can also be made of cotton or silk. Because they are flat-woven, they have no pile or backing, which makes them thinner and more lightweight than traditional pile rugs.
One of the unique features of kilim rugs is their decorative designs, which often feature geometric patterns, bold colours, and intricate motifs. Many kilim designs are based on traditional tribal patterns, and some incorporate symbols and images that hold special meaning within their cultural context.
Kilim rugs have been traditionally used for a variety of purposes, including as prayer rugs, wall hangings, and floor coverings.
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Mihrab
A mihrab is a conventional motif in Islamic rugs based on a prayer niche or mosque arch, which can be almost realistic or extremely abstract. It is the basic design element in the prayer rug.
Paisley Pattern
The Paisley motif is a decorative design element that originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) and became popular in the West during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is characterized by a teardrop-shaped or leaf-like design with a curved upper end and a tapered, pointed lower end.
In rugs and textiles, the Paisley motif is often used as a repeating pattern or border, and is typically woven or printed in contrasting colours to create a bold and vibrant look. The motif can vary in size and complexity, from small and simple designs to larger, more intricate patterns.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, shawls woven with Paisley motifs were highly prized luxury items, and were exported from Persia and India to Europe and America. The motif also became popular in the design of carpets, upholstery fabrics, and clothing.
Samplers
Samplers can be found dating back to the 16th century, but most samplers date from the 19th century, although 17th and 18th century examples can be found.
Their purpose was to teach girls from as young as 9 or 10 and young women a variety of sewing stiches through instruction and practice, in the era before examples were available in printed magazines and books. They also were an aid to teaching the embroiderer the alphabet and numerals - most samplers include both of these in the lower section.
Samplers often carry the name of the embroiderer and the date. Sometimes the age of the embroiderer is given and occasionally the name of her house or school. This information adds interest to the piece, and can also affect the value, particularly if it verifies that the sampler was completed in Australia.
Samplers were sewn on linen and wool or silk threads were used for the embroidery.
Coloured silk samplers tend to command the highest prices, particularly when combined with raised work and metal threads, such as gold or silver, which would only have been used by the wealthy.
Moth holes, tears, disintegration or faded colours will affect value and the edges of the sampler, where the material has been stretched, should be checked for damage. If the sampler is no longer in its original frame, the value will be reduced.