Fielding sell another rare survivor of the Women's Suffragette Movement

Lot 979 in our forthcoming 20th/21st August auction is a small but mighty piece of history, and we are delighted to be offering it for sale in our forthcoming August auction.  Dating to the early part of the 20th Century, this cloth clothing patch is in the Womens Social and Political Union colours of purple, green and white.  Found in a jewellery box in a house clearance locally this small little woven patch really is a rare survivor.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW LOT 979

Back in May 2018 we sold an original early 20th Century Votes for Women sash  

It is widely believed that the Votes for Women sash was first seen at the Women's Sunday demonstration held in Hyde Park, London on 21st June 1908. Through the 'Votes for Women' magazine, editor Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence encouraged supporters to attend the demonstration in their best white dress (dressed in white, the sash would have been clearly visible). Pethick-Lawrence encouraged women to look their best - women seen to be walking in procession (much like an army would procession in their finest dress uniform), in their best attire would not only likely attract more women but it would also show the gentle ladylike appearance of the movement and so defuse fears about violent tactics. Created by the Women's Social and Political Union, the design for the sash itself is thought to have come from Syliva Pankhurst (daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst). The distinctive tri-colours became emblematic of the Suffrage movement - green for hope, white for purity and purple for loyalty and dignity. The Votes for Women magazine would prove vital not only for promoting the cause but also in generating funds. It is known that 'fashionable' department stores such as Dickens and Jones, Lilly and Skinner, Burberry and Selfridges frequently advertised within the magazine, often taking full-page advertisements. Whilst it is not known for certainity, it is likely the sashs would have been retailed through such department stores. Selfridges in particular stocked a range of dresses, brooches, ribbons, hats and drapery in the suffrage colours.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VOTES FOR WOMEN SASH

Posted on 11 August 2020 in: What's new