Heirlooms

I have been thinking about the pieces that have inspired my love of vintage over the years.

It certainly started young, as a little girl playing for hours in my Grandmother's dressing up box, entranced by a 1920s silk kimono with tassels and a little embroidered folk blouse. There are pieces I grew up with, like my Mum's silver charm bracelet, collected as a child, and a gold one inherited from my Great Aunt, passed down by her Aunt before. An early 20th-century piano shawl with silk embroidered flowers given to me by my husband's family. Delicate Art Deco and Edwardian intricately beaded evening bags. A 1930s floral silk dress found at Priestlys in York, possibly my favourite ever vintage shop, now closed. A hand-painted mother-of-pearl 19th-century fan, sourced by my Dad to carry on my wedding day. A silver antique Burmese bracelet, from my late Granny.

These pieces from my personal collection carry stories and history and have shaped my ever-growing appreciation of antiques, vintage and textiles.