Vintage Souvenirs of Canada: Textiles - Tea Towels, Scarves, Hankies......
An ever popular collectible is the Souvenir of your trip....anywhere! This has been a staple of the collector since travelling began, to show off where you have been! Many now collect a certain vintage genre amongst the souvenirs that abound. Today I focus on TEXTILES.
The Scarf
A lovely silk or polyester printed head or neck scarf is a great portable souvenir of your visit. A terrific showcase for Native Canadiana themes, an artist couple, Eleanor and Anthony (Tony) Paine created SKEMO Textiles Ltd in Toronto, Ontario Canada in 1967 and ran the company till it was sold in 1997, designing gorgeous bold native themed scarves which were then made in Japan. Eleanor was born in Singapore and attended the Birmingham College of Art from 1957 to 1961 and emigrated to Canada with her husband in 1963. They currently have an art studio in Victoria B.C. Canada and run Prema Graphics Ltd still designing and creating lovely native themed artwork.
An example of one of their high quality scarves, a Native Sun Face in shimmery metallic silver, black and red. c1980's.
For more details, please click HERE
Look for the artists' signature & artwork title on textiles with a SKEMO label.
Another example of a scarf with a Native design by the Paine's is this scarf showing some scenes of Inuit life.
Signed by both Tony and Eleanor for SKEMO and likely c1980's.
A little older, with a little bit of "kitsch" is the scarf that says "Souvenir of Canada" and shows sepia toned views of popular Canadian landmarks.
Made in Italy, the scarf shows good pedigree!
For more details, please click HERE
The Handkerchief
Vintage hankies are easy to store and fun to seek out. Here is an example of a very obscure souvenir handkerchief from a quaint small town in Saskatchewan Canada, Kerrobert.
The town was incorporated in 1910 and the population was just 1,011 in the 2007 census!
Unbound edging, but in unused and unfaded condition, and the iconic Canadian maple leaf makes this a wonderful piece of c1950's to 60's Canadiana!
For more details please click HERE
The Tea Towel
Canadians, much like the British, love linen tea towels and what a useful souvenir! Many frame unused, unlaundered tea towels.
Here is an example of a souvenir tea towel representing the Maritime Provinces (on the east coast of Canada).
Irish linen and colourful depictions of sites around the area, along with a map to show the provinces within the Maritimes, it is a welcome addition to any tea towel collection!
For more details, please click HERE
The Placemat
Definitely Canadiana because I actually sewed this set of pig placemats, coasters and napkin rings for six! They are vintage since I made the set for my parents when they were "Pig Collectors" along with their group of friends, about 20+ years ago (when I was still "handy"). They are "rare" because I haven't sewn anything since! And they are in near new condition because my mother kept them in the linen closet rather than use them! In their move to a seniors' residence and down-sizing, I ended up getting them back!
For a giggle, here are some photos (and yes I had my own embroidered label!).
For more details, please click HERE
Happy Treasure Hunting!
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