These are old darning mushrooms that date from a time when the conscientious housewife would have spent her evenings darning socks or pullover elbows for her family.
This design is available in a range of colours
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Very practically the tops screw off so that you can keep your darning needles inside ready for use.
At many antique fairs I have the following conversation when a person of younger years picks up a mushroom. "What is this?" "It's a darning mushroom." "What's darning?", I then go into teacher mode and explain how in the 'olden days'(!) people mended clothes that had worn out and did not just throw them away. I end up sounding like my grandma.
The mushroom top is 65mm diameter and 90mm overall length. The red and green are made of a urea formaldehyde resin, whilst the brown is made of bakelite.
Under the top it has the Jay Brand logo and Made in England
They date from the 40's or 50's and these were very much a feature of the 'make do and mend' culture.
They have been used and so there is some light wear and scratching but overall they are in good condition.
Please note. I do my best to accurately photograph and describe the condition of the items for sale, including any minor defects but all pieces are vintage and have had previous lives and so may have minor flaws.
Postage is for UK only, please enquire for overseas postage.