This narrow woven silk bookmark features a detailed floral arrangement of blue forget-me-nots and white lily of the valley beneath the prominent wording “FORGET ME NOT” and a sentimental verse. The cream-coloured silk has purple woven lettering and borders, green foliage and a pointed lower end, with the reverse showing the characteristic woven construction of the design.

Welch & Lenton of Coventry were associated with the city's celebrated nineteenth-century woven silk industry, producing decorative silk bookmarks and similar woven pieces. Coventry woven bookmarks combined Jacquard weaving with floral, commemorative and sentimental subjects, and surviving examples are collected today as both textile history and Victorian ephemera.

Dimensions: Approx. 18.5 cm × 4 cm
Weight: Approx. 2 g
Material: Woven silk, attributed based on visible textile construction and maker identification
Design: Woven floral bookmark depicting blue forget-me-nots and white lily of the valley with “FORGET ME NOT” wording, sentimental verse, purple decorative borders and pointed lower end
Era: Victorian, attributed to the late 19th century based on maker, design and construction
Origin: Coventry, England, based on the woven maker's mark
Maker / Marks: Woven “WELCH & LENTON, COVENTRY” maker's mark visible to the reverse upper edge

CONDITION:
Antique used condition with visible fold lines, creasing and handling wear throughout the silk. Age-related discolouration, staining and scattered small marks are present, particularly around the upper text area and floral section. The edges show wear and localised fraying, with small edge tears and areas of fabric separation visible. The pointed lower end has creasing, wear and discolouration, while the reverse shows further creasing, loose threads and wear associated with the woven construction. A typical aged textile scent consistent with long-term storage is present. Despite the noted wear, the floral design, sentimental verse and Welch & Lenton maker's mark remain clearly recognisable and the bookmark retains strong antique textile character.

PLEASE NOTE:
This item is sold as seen and in good faith, exactly as described and photographed. The 20p coin shown in one photograph is provided solely for scale and is not included in the sale. Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description. Colours may vary slightly due to lighting, photography, and screen settings. Questions are welcome, and offers may be sent to interested buyers at our discretion. Returns are accepted if you are not satisfied, in accordance with eBay policy.

A characterful Welch & Lenton Coventry woven silk bookmark with strong appeal for collectors of Victorian textiles, Coventry silks and sentimental ephemera.

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