Christmas decoration
Selfridges
Category
Household and miscellaneous
Date
1930 (circa)
Materials
Cardboard, cotton wool, paper, vegetal, rubber, metal, wood, textile and plastic
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
NT 938736
Summary
Early twentieth century cardboard toadstool covered in cotton wool, the hollow stem originally containing treats (b.1-4), the top still concealing treats with an attached paper label reading, 'Surprises in / top & stem'. A coloured paper label of holly sprigs and bells was once attached to the top, as was a gold label for Selfridges. The toadstool stem is adorned with a coloured paper window and door; a Christmas tree is attached either side of the door, made of bits of real Christmas tree branch sprayed with fake snow. The toadstool stands on a circular cardboard base on which was once also attached a tiny plastic (?) toadstool and elf figure (both now detached but present; a third item now detached and missing). The treats once concealed in the stem are each wrapped in tissue paper with a label attached on which is a number. They consist of a rubber and metal pistol; an unopened ring game; a hanging flower basket suspended on a red frame; a spinning top. The toadstool and its contents is stored in a foil-lined wooden tea box (c) with sliding lid. 'For Christmas' is handwritten on the lid in pencil, and 'His Lordship / started this tea / Aug 22nd 1933' is written on the body of the box also in pencil. There are the remains of a tea merchants label also on the body of the box for '...ND STIMSON & CO., / .... / .... TOWER HILL, / .... LONDON...'
Provenance
Stamford collection; devised to the National Trust by Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford (1896-1976).
Makers and roles
Selfridges , retailer