Wonderful Things and a £10 day at Malvern

 

Isn't this gorgeous?  I was taking a photo of it as the price tag of £75 meant it was way beyond my indulgence level, especially as I only had £20 left in my purse!  "Oh!" I exclaimed to the young lady whose stall it was, "How I wish I had come across this one before you found it!" and we fell into conversation.  She could tell I was a quilt maker and blimey, you could have knocked me down with a feather when she said I could have it for £10!!!  Did she misread her price?  Had she had it for a long time and had no interest?  Well, perhaps, but she said she wanted it to go to someone who really appreciated it and understood it - she could barely sew a button on, so something like this seemed impossibly complicated to sew.   Well, I patted her arm and spluttered my thanks.  It is gorgeous - Victorian, made using real silk dress remnants (some sadly shredded through time) and cotton velvet.  It's folded in 4 (and has been for a long time so sadly will be creased into that shape until laid out to relax. It's probably about 48" square when opened out.  I am thrilled to bits with it and will love it and cherish it, but perhaps not forever.

This was another indulgence I spotted it as I was on my way out.  Chap had this and another early Torquay piece.  They date from around 1900.  He wanted £30 the pair, but I said I would just have one and offered £10. A good Kingfisher bowl has gone into stock to make room for this on my display shelf.  The 1821 date on this is spurious.

I found the most amazing stand with JUST my sort of things on and spent £100 there.  I am still researching the things and some are so nice (rare) that they will probably end up with me.  We shall see. I was only sad that I had gone later than usual so I wasn't driving most of the way in the dark and two other dealers had gotten to his stall before me and spent £1000 between them - gosh, I wonder what wonderful things I missed . . .  one of them was an angel, as I heard his wife mention it.

Here is one thing I bought there and it will go to the next Fair with me.  A lovely antique Moroccan door (for a big cupboard I think).

I love the designs on it - especially the compass one in the recess and the fabulous hand made nails, hinges and door lock. 

Here's another Moroccan door lock:

Worryingly, Pippi was on the road as I drove back up the hill (Sundays are quiet here).  I think I may have to keep her in on Sundays in future, as she was about 50 yds down the road and any car could have killed her.  Not a thought I want to harbour every time she is out.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.