5mm Bronze Embossed Sequins, Paillettes au Coq - Norman Hartnell Archive
5mm Bronze Embossed Sequins, Paillettes au Coq - Norman Hartnell Archive
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A small vintage lot of 5mm sequins still wearing its original Paillettes au Coq tag: a red rooster, “Marque Déposée, Qualité Unique, Made in France”. From the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom.
Paillettes au Coq was a French sequin brand of the 1940s and 1950s, known for its finely embossed and shaped paillettes. These are a warm bronze with a delicate fluted, embossed surface, and the ends of the threads show glimpses of gold and iridescent silver.
3 threads with tag: sold together as one lot, as the threads are tangled and tied to the tag. A collector’s piece, and lovely for a small special project. One lot only.
About the Archive
This exquisite collection of mid-20th century dressmakers’ beads and sequins originates from the archive of Mollie (Marjorie Constance) Welch, an accomplished embroiderer who worked for Sir Norman Hartnell from 1937 onwards.
Mollie began her career at the prestigious Hartnell couture house on Bruton Street, London, where she contributed to royal and aristocratic gowns embellished with intricate beadwork and embroidery. Her early diary entries mention work on the Queen’s Coronation gowns, including the iconic feather bodice created for Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) in 1937, and she later assisted with the Coronation ensembles of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
After retiring in 1970, Mollie cherished her collection of materials — sequins, beads, and embroidery samples — intending to open her own atelier to teach tambour embroidery. Although fashions changed and her plans never came to fruition, these beautiful embellishments have remained safely preserved for decades.
The set offered here comes directly from the Mollie Welch archive, a tangible link to one of Britain’s most celebrated couture houses and the golden age of royal embroidery under Norman Hartnell.