Antiques Roadshow uncovered a rare 500-year-old Elizabethan sleeve. Expert Hilary Kay was bowled over by the never-before-seen collection of textiles dating back 500 years appeared on her table during filming at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham.
The discovery, which included a bedspread and two pillowcases sewn by Elizabeth I and her ladies-in-waiting, was led by an “extremely rare” ivory silk satin sleeve and sleeve support. The items belonged to the Wollaton family, who built Wollaton Hall in 1588, and until their discovery, no examples of sleeve supports were known to exist.
The sleeve support, known as a farthingale sleeve, has remained in an almost perfect condition along with the satin sleeve it originally supported, the BBC show said. Author and lecturer Kay added: “Exceptional. It is such an exciting moment to be faced with something from the 16th century which is in such incredible condition.”
