Dominic Winter Auctioneers: 2025 Textiles Highlights

The first of three Textile Sales in 2025 kicked off with its usual eclectic offering, but the highlight of the sale was a collection of textiles belonging to eccentric society hostess Lady Ottoline Morrell (1873-1938). This group of items came direct from Lady Ottoline's descendants, and included embroidered purses, clothing, painted boxes, sumptuous brocade cloths, a needlework panel depicting a phoenix worked by D.H Lawrence and his wife Frieda (hammer price £2,100), and a large, extraordinarily vibrant, floral needlework panel stitched by Lady Ottoline herself (hammer price £5,000).

 

 

July's sale included shawls, lace, fans, and pin cushions, and was particularly strong on clothing. In particular, two very rare items of clothing evoked interest: an early 19th century Thames Waterman's hat, which made £1,300 (estimate £200-400), and two Sudanese jibbas, which together made £5,600 (estimate £300-500).

 

 

Our November sale saw another Sudanese jibba following hot on the heels of the last - this time with accompanying fearsome-looking spear - making the lower estimate of £1,500. A rare stumpwork collage picture of Charles I and Henrietta Maria, probably worked by a child, was estimated at £1,000-1,500, but made £2,800, and a stunning Charles II beadwork panel made £6,000 (estimate £3,000-5,000). Another standout item was a sampler worked by Elizabeth Davis in 1829. Whilst not particularly early as juvenile needleworks go, this was not only beautifully stitched, but particularly unusual in depicting Elizabeth herself, her parents, and her pet dog, standing in the garden of their large country house. Prospective bidders evidently appreciated the quality and rarity of the piece, and it raced away from its £400-600 estimate to make £2,400.