Bone-handled carriage parasol with silk brocade cover, and sewn-on fringe, ca 1855-1860.

So happy to see this project done and back in the hands of its very happy owner. I was very very much pleased to see how this one turned out, after the many challenges it presented over the course of its restoration from a bare frame with rib tip problems and a dud rib, to a fully-functional, relined and recovered piece.

And one nice thing about having this done is that I can do non-parasol related things like drawing again - guiltlessly. Heh,

The March splurge - an 1840s carriage parasol with ebony handle, mother-of-pearl inlay, and whalebone ribs. This thing is very, very small, and I’m just head-over-heels in love with this frame. This could just be the next restoration project. Who knows.

Hand-work on this thing tonight (photoed grainily). Super-slow going.

My souvenir of my NYC trip: A mid-1840s coromandel-stemmed carriage parasol with pagoda canopy and bone rib tips and finial, photographed on the High Line. I spotted it from across the Antiques Garage in Chelsea and basically was like “This is mine.” It survived walking countless blocks in the city, and then the trip home after being kneed by a surly airport shuttle driver and having to be taken out of my carry-on bag because of lack of overhead compartments on the flight home. It’s a new favorite piece of mine.

English puce-covered carriage parasol, ca 1850-1865.

So basically my blog has degenerated into nothing but parasol posts?

Telescopic parasol, ca 1870. Ebony handle with silver mounts; silk taffeta cover and habotai lining; deep Chantilly lace edging.

Attributed to Anthony G. Davis

This arrived today and it’s gorgeous, and much nicer than I expected (I was expecting a black-painted handle, but it’s actually - seriously - ebony. And for the first time, I have a telescoper in my collection!

On top of all this, it goes toward feeding this obsession I have with black lace right now - seriously I seem to be becoming overrun with antique black lace because I seem to be able to not get enough of it.

Hand fan, ca 1870. Bone sticks, with chantilly-style pusher lace overlay.

This latest find arrived today - and while I have no idea as to how to go about restoring it yet, I love it. The lace is almost flawless, despite the frames issues.

Parasol, ca 1840-1850. Green silk moiré cover, shot with coppery pink, silk fringe. Coromandel handle with ivory terminal and finial.

Rijksmuseum.

One day, I WILL find a watered silk moiré that will be comparable to silks like this. I’ve got a lead on something but I’ve yet to order it to compare the texture, but it has a VERY strong, albeit not as organized moire pattern as this. O just have to get a frame that I’m good with recovering in the stuff.

So, this is where I’m at with Anna’s parasol - there’s still a tassel to do, and a box, but I thought a before and after would be appropriate here.

I really like the eastlake gilded border on this.

(Source: myselfixion)