Flea Market Item 26-352

Vintage French Passementerie Sample Card

A fascinating French passementerie or haberdashery manufacturer’s sample card, displaying a range of small gilt-metal square ornaments, mounts and decorative frames in numerous sizes and designs. 

There are 55 surviving pieces which include embossed floral, geometric, beaded and textured patterns, each accompanied by handwritten reference numbers and sizes/prices.

Probably dating from the early to mid-20th century, this would have been a working trade card used to show customers the available decorative metal components—possibly for dressmaking, belts, millinery, handbags, shoes or other fashion accessories. 

The aged blue card, handwritten annotations and surviving gilt samples make it particularly appealing as an authentic piece of French haberdashery history.

Composition: gilt or gold-coloured pressed/stamped base metal mounted on heavy card.

Condition: age wear, staining and missing samples, all part of its original working history.