I found some small treasures at the thrift store. This doily set (properly called antimacassars) was marked down to a dollar. I have another one somewhere but this one needed a home.
The
fashion for oiled hair became so widespread in the Victorian and
Edwardian period that housewives began to cover the arms and backs of
chairs with a washable cloth to prevent the fabric from being soiled. Around 1850 these started to be known as antimacassars.
Macassar is a kind of oil formerly used, mainly by men, to give shine to their hair.
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Another object I bought for pennies was this mystery piece. It measures 9" by 15" and has ribbons attached on all 4 corners. The fabric is a soft flannelette and there is padding between the front and back.The decorations are made of felt which suggests it wasn't made for much washing. Anyone have a guess what in the world this was meant for?
I did some housework this morning then after lunch went to the thrift store. Now It's time to sit down and read until it's time to think of supper.
I hope you're having a nice day. Thanks for taking time to visit , GM
Interesting sets! And somehow a funny story of former times :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe the flannelette piece is a decoration to fix on a bed for a baby or somewhere else? ??
I knew that doilies were used to prevent hair oil from getting on the furniture but I had never heard that anti thingofamajig they call it. You just never know when you are going to learn something fascinating. (and totally useless,, haha)
ReplyDeleteDo you think it was made to store china in? A fancy serving piece used only now and again?
ReplyDeleteDon't have any idea what it could be used for. It will be interesting to see what people come up with.
ReplyDeleteThat mystery piece is so cute. I love the flowers on it...but have no clue what it's used for.
ReplyDeleteA piece of soft flannel to wrap silverware maybe?
ReplyDeleteI still use placemats for our couch...Bud has the oiliest of oily hair...naturally.
Well, it looks like the ribbons are suppose to be tied together somehow...curious!
ReplyDeleteAnd my grandmother had these on her sofa and chairs in the parlor.
hugs
Donna
Not a clue. Interesting about the furniture doilies:)
ReplyDeleteMight it be a jewellery roll? Very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteWell, I didn't know that about doilies!
ReplyDeleteNo idea about the flannelette but I love the antimacassars. We may not have hair oil problems (much!) these days, but they look so quaint and romantic sitting on the furniture :)
ReplyDeleteSo that's where the name "antimacassar" came from. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to know what that piece was originally used for. It sure is sweet and looks so clean.
Well, thanks for the history of Antimacassars! I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteMight the mystery piece be a roll for storing silver cutlery? It's pretty - what will you use it for?
ReplyDeleteYou learn something new every day! I have never heard of antimacassars before now. I have crocheted doilies on the arms of my couch, only because I love seeing them around the house. I can't imagine what the little flannel piece might be, it's very plain but I like it. You always find the neatest things at the thrift store!!
ReplyDeleteI did not know the mane and story it’s interesting to know about it.
ReplyDeleteEvery piece of furniture in my grandmother's living room had those anti-whatchamacallits on them. She crocheted them and put them on the arms and back of any chair that had fabric on it... including the two chairs at the end of the dining room table!
ReplyDelete