Parasols were used by the ancient Sumerians as long ago as 3000 BC and they have been made ever since. However they did not come into use in Europe until the 16th century.

Accepted terminology is that a parasol is designed to protect the user from sunlight, while an umbrella protects the user from rain. Thus the fabric from which a parasol is made is usually not waterproof, and often of much lighter fabric than an umbrella, such as silk, cotton, nylon, gingham and lace, with ivory or wooden shafts.

Victorian era umbrellas had frames of wood or baleen, but these devices were expensive and hard to fold when wet. Englishman Samuel Fox invented the steel-ribbed umbrella in 1852, however metal ribs were known in use in umbrellas and parasols in France at the end of the eighteenth century.

Our grandmothers' parasols had a lot of use, on summer more...

71 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Antique parasol with presentation inscribed sterling silver…

Antique Parasol with Sterling Silver Handle, London 1922 Hallmark

Antique parasol with presentation inscribed sterling silver handle hallmarked London 1922, 87 cm long

Victorian fine lace parasol, carved bone handle with floral…

Victorian Lace Parasol with Carved Bone Handle

Victorian fine lace parasol, carved bone handle with floral decoration, beautiful lace and silk umbrella in original condition

An early lace parasol with Decoratively carved stick, length 88…

Lace and Silver Parasols

An early lace parasol with Decoratively carved stick, length 88 cm and another with London hallmarked sterling silver mounts, c1913, length 93 cm

Vintage parasol

Retro Chic Parasol

Vintage parasol

Silver parasol handle set, Mappin & Webb sterling silver duck…

Mappin & Webb Silver Duck Parasol Handle Set

Silver parasol handle set, Mappin & Webb sterling silver duck shape handle with glass eyes and eight tops set with original box

Samuel fox & Co. 'Paragon' frame ladies parasol, brown silk…

Paragon Ladies Parasol with Horn Eagle Handle

Samuel fox & Co. 'Paragon' frame ladies parasol, brown silk cover, ivory & horn eagle handle, with glass inlaid eyes, height 77 cm. Provenance: Estate late John Schaeffer.

George V sterling silver and guilloche parasol handle,…

George V Silver Guilloche Parasol Handle with Mirror Compartment

George V sterling silver and guilloche parasol handle, hallmarked Birmingham, 1916, Le (Lawrence Emanuel), the head with hinged blue guilloche cover, opening to reveal a mirrored compartment, total weight 33gm, length 8.5 cm and diameter 5 cm

An antique French parasol, ivory and timber with embroidered…

French Antique Embroidered Parasol, 1895

An antique French parasol, ivory and timber with embroidered silk shade, circa 1895, 76 cm long

An Edwardian silver handled parasol.

Edwardian Silver Parasol Handle

An Edwardian silver handled parasol.

Art Nouveau silver parasol handle embossed decoration, length…

Art Nouveau Silver Parasol Handle with Embossed Decoration

Art Nouveau silver parasol handle embossed decoration, length 14 cm

Chinese Qing Dynasty ivory parasol handle, c.1900, with a knop…

Qing Dynasty Ivory Parasol Handle with Floral Motifs

Chinese Qing Dynasty ivory parasol handle, c.1900, with a knop end and tapering handle carved with floral motifs, length 17 cm

19th Century silver gilt & rose quartz parasol set stamped…

Silver Gilt Rose Quartz Parasol Set with Fitted Box

19th Century silver gilt & rose quartz parasol set stamped sterling silver, comprising a handle and 8 silver gilt safety tips, in original fitted box

Vintage parasol 87 cm long

Vintage 87cm Parasol

Vintage parasol 87 cm long

Edwardian lady's parasol, the horn handle with embossed gold…

Gold Embossed Handle Parasol for Edwardian Lady

Edwardian lady's parasol, the horn handle with embossed gold collar

Edwardian lady's parasol, with ivory handle, the pommel…

Ivory-Handled Edwardian Lady's Parasol with Engraved Initial

Edwardian lady's parasol, with ivory handle, the pommel engraved with initial D

A finely carved coral and ivory lace parasol, 19th century the…

Carved Coral and Ivory Lace Parasol

A finely carved coral and ivory lace parasol, 19th century the coral handle ornately decorated with a fox chasing a bird on a grape and leaf entwined stem, carved coral finial the coral handle 21 cm long. Provenance: The Sir Robert Knox Collection

An Anglo-Indian parasol, carved ivory and black silk, 19th…

19th Century Anglo-Indian Ivory Parasol with Silk

An Anglo-Indian parasol, carved ivory and black silk, 19th century, 54 cm high

Two various vintage umbrellas including early fabric parasol,…

Vintage Umbrella Set: Fabric Parasol & Tartan Cane Handle

Two various vintage umbrellas including early fabric parasol, length 94 cm; and a tartan, cane handled umbrella.

Two silver parasol handles, one of crook form, the other of…

Silver Parasol Handles - Crook and Branch Forms

Two silver parasol handles, one of crook form, the other of branched form with engraved foliate motifs (2)

Oriental ivory handle parasol with carved monkey decoration

Monkey Carved Ivory Parasol Handle

Oriental ivory handle parasol with carved monkey decoration

Good Victorian black silk parasol with ornate ruched net…

Victorian Black Silk Parasol with Ornate Ruched Net Decoration

Good Victorian black silk parasol with ornate ruched net decoration to the top, bone & ebony handle and fittings, length 79 cm.

An early 20th century silver handled lady's parasol, repeat…

Silver-handled scrolling parasol for ladies

An early 20th century silver handled lady's parasol, repeat scrolling decoration.

An early 20th century silver handled lady's parasol, scrolling…

Silver-handled lady's parasol with scrolling vine decoration

An early 20th century silver handled lady's parasol, scrolling vine decoration.

Three large horn spoons, a paper sun parasol, a finely beaded…

Assorted Decorative Items: Horn Spoons, Parasol, Beaded Disk, Incense Boxes

Three large horn spoons, a paper sun parasol, a finely beaded disk & two carved wood incense boxes (7), length 50-23 cm, diameter 31 cm

Parasol with whale bone handle

Whale-bone Handled Parasol

Parasol with whale bone handle

Sharks vertebrae and baleen parasol handle, 44 cm

Shark Vertebrae and Baleen Parasol Handle

Sharks vertebrae and baleen parasol handle, 44 cm

Sterling silver decorated parasol handle, 30 cm

Silver Parasol Handle with Ornate Design - 30cm

Sterling silver decorated parasol handle, 30 cm

An early 20th century carved marine ivory handled lady's…

Marine Ivory Handled Lady's Parasol

An early 20th century carved marine ivory handled lady's parasol, the elongated ovoid handle with relief scrolling shield, silver ferrule fitting.

An Edwardian silk parasol, with beech handle and amber-like…

Edwardian Silk Parasol with Amber Finial

An Edwardian silk parasol, with beech handle and amber-like finial.

Victorian carved dog head handle parasol 93 cm long

Carved Victorian Dog Head Parasol - 93cm Long

Victorian carved dog head handle parasol 93 cm long

Melange of vintage and antique lace with various wicker baskets…

Lace and Wicker: A Vintage Mix

Melange of vintage and antique lace with various wicker baskets and a lace parasol

19th century silver parasol handle, 22.5 cm long

19th Century Silver Parasol Handle

19th century silver parasol handle, 22.5 cm long

Ornate sterling silver parasol, marked Paragon S. Fox Co.…

Paragon Sterling Silver Parasol by S. Fox Co

Ornate sterling silver parasol, marked Paragon S. Fox Co. Limited

A sterling silver and ivory parasol handle, the sterling silver…

Sterling Silver and Ivory Parasol Handle, London 1889

A sterling silver and ivory parasol handle, the sterling silver foliate design initialled 'Ceh', G.R, London, 1889. Length 20 cm.

Gucci, parasol, signature floral printed canvas with wooden…

Floral Canvas Parasol with Wooden Handle by Gucci

Gucci, parasol, signature floral printed canvas with wooden handle

A 1930's Bakelite handle parasol,

Bakelite Handle Parasol from the 1930s

A 1930's Bakelite handle parasol,

An Australian sterling silver and wood parasol handle, circular…

Sterling Silver and Wood Parasol Handle

An Australian sterling silver and wood parasol handle, circular handle and hexagonal finial with foliate design, marked 'Sterling'. Length 29.5 cm. Weight 99g

A carved ivory parasol handle & Ferrule, decorated with vine…

Carved Ivory Parasol Handle and Ferrule with Grape Motif

A carved ivory parasol handle & Ferrule, decorated with vine leaves and grapes, bearing the initials B R, length 8 - 17 cm

Antique sterling silver parasol handle, stamped sterling

Sterling Silver Parasol Handle - Antique

Antique sterling silver parasol handle, stamped sterling

Parasol, late 19th century, Malacca mounted with, hallmarked…

Malacca Parasol, London Hallmarked 1888

Parasol, late 19th century, Malacca mounted with, hallmarked London 1888, length 88 cm

Carved ivory parasol handle finial of monkey, rat & hawk,…

Shibayama Ivory Parasol Handle with Animal Finial

Carved ivory parasol handle finial of monkey, rat & hawk, shibayama decorated stem, 30 cm length with silk embroidered pouch

Edwardian ivory carved lady's folding parasol carved with a…

Ivory Cherub Handle Lady's Folding Parasol

Edwardian ivory carved lady's folding parasol carved with a cherub holding a grape vine handle, with a folding stem with a turned cuff, having a silk lined cover & fine black fabric. Condition good to fair, some losses to the fabric. Length folded 38 cm.…

Victorian sterling silver parasol handle, hallmarked Birmingham…

Victorian Sterling Silver Parasol Handle - Birmingham 1899

Victorian sterling silver parasol handle, hallmarked Birmingham 1899, 30 cm long (including wood)

Two Edwardian silver parasol handles, one with floral embossed…

Edwardian Silver Parasol Handles with Floral and Swan Designs

Two Edwardian silver parasol handles, one with floral embossed pattern; W&D, London, 1911. The other in the form of a swans head and neck, turquoise eye (one missing); London, 1906. A/f. Both with sticks broken off.

Antique French 19th century carved ebony ladies silk parasol

19th Century Carved Ebony Ladies Parasol

Antique French 19th century carved ebony ladies silk parasol

Ivory handled parasol with an ivory carved finial, eight ivory…

Ivory-handled Parasol with Carved Finial and Silk Interior

Ivory handled parasol with an ivory carved finial, eight ivory turned ends, green silk exterior with a pink silk interior & a brass collar stamped 'London'. Condition, fair, age related wear to the silk, length, 95 cm

A Japanese carved ivory parasol handle, Meiji period 1868, 1912,…

Japanese Ivory Dragon Parasol Handle, Meiji Period

A Japanese carved ivory parasol handle, Meiji period 1868, 1912, carved extensively to one side depicting dragons, length 28.5 cm

Possible KPM porcelain parasol handle finely painted with…

KPM Porcelain Parasol Handle with Beauty Portrait

Possible KPM porcelain parasol handle finely painted with portrait of a beauty on cobalt blue and gilt enriched shaft.

An antique ivory parasol handle, later 19th century, with a…

Antique Ivory Parasol Handle with Floral Motif

An antique ivory parasol handle, later 19th century, with a twisted form to the lower section of the handle and a floral motif to the upper and fitted with a small shallow cup to the top designed to fasten to the parasol. Length 22 cm

19th century ivory carved parasol top in the form of a hand…

Ivory Hand Parasol Top with Ball

19th century ivory carved parasol top in the form of a hand holding a ball

Cased silver parasol handle, approx 14 cm long

Silver parasol handle, cased, 14 cm

Cased silver parasol handle, approx 14 cm long

A parasol top from Royal Household of the Maharaja of Varanasi,…

Royal Maharaja Parasol Top

A parasol top from Royal Household of the Maharaja of Varanasi, gold and silver embroidery, gold brocade edging and sequins, housed in modern perspex case, 132 cm diameter

A lady's ivory and horn handled parasol, Kendall & Sons, circa…

Melba's Antique Bird-Handle Parasol

A lady's ivory and horn handled parasol, Kendall & Sons, circa 1905 having an ivory, horn and burl wood handle depicting a bird of prey, the parasol shade of brown silk, marked 'Kendall Paris' to the interior, with canvas sleeve 76 cm long. Property from…

Antique Kendall Black parasol with oriental silver handle

Oriental Silver-Handled Kendall Parasol

Antique Kendall Black parasol with oriental silver handle

A collection of carved whalebone and scrimshaw parasol handles…

19th Century Whalebone Carvings and Scrimshaw Pieces

A collection of carved whalebone and scrimshaw parasol handles and spinning tops, 19th century, the largest 8 cm

A mourning carriage parasol with folding handle Victorian,…

Victorian Mourning Parasol with Folding Handle

A mourning carriage parasol with folding handle Victorian, 1870/1880s; American; silk, metal, wood; good condition, slightly splitting in one spot

A Japanese Meiji carved ivory dragon handle for a parasol or…

Meiji Ivory Dragon Handle with Inset Eyes and Signature

A Japanese Meiji carved ivory dragon handle for a parasol or walking stick, inset dragon eyes, signed. Length 30.5 cm

A Japanese ivory Shibiyama tapering parasol shaft, handle and…

Japanese Ivory Parasol with Inlaid Insects and Flowers

A Japanese ivory Shibiyama tapering parasol shaft, handle and Ferrule, without the canopy and an ivory and bone three Clawed rod, 19th/20th century. Inlaid in mother of pearl, coral and hard stones, with insects including beetles and hornets, around…

Silver and porcelain parasol, swan head handle giving way to…

Swan Handle Porcelain Parasol

Silver and porcelain parasol, swan head handle giving way to fine decorated porcelain. 88.5 cm

Fine quality Victorian parasol, ebony and bone handle. Approx…

Victorian Ebony and Bone Parasol - High Quality

Fine quality Victorian parasol, ebony and bone handle. Approx 79 cm long

A French ivory parasol handle, circa 1900, exquisitely pierced…

French Ivory Parasol Handle with Whippet Head Motif

A French ivory parasol handle, circa 1900, exquisitely pierced and carved with leaves entwining the stem, the handle terminating in a whippet head motif. Length 26.5 cm

An Indian carved ivory parasol, the terminal with a nude female…

Carved Ivory Parasol with Nude Female Torso Terminal

An Indian carved ivory parasol, the terminal with a nude female torso with hands behind her back Length 83 cm.

Two silver parasol handles, London 1913 and 1915. (2)

Pair of Silver Parasol Handles, London 1913-1915

Two silver parasol handles, London 1913 and 1915. (2)

A French ivory parasol handle, 1890s, Dieppe carved, the petite…

Dieppe Carved Ivory Parasol Handle

A French ivory parasol handle, 1890s, Dieppe carved, the petite handle with a tiny hook, relief carved with delicate flowers within scrolled motifs. Length 26 cm

An unusual Victorian parasol handle with a pressed horn or…

Twisted Horn and Silver Victorian Parasol Handle

An unusual Victorian parasol handle with a pressed horn or tortoiseshell stem, twisted rib decoration, an embossed sterling silver knob and silver and nickel ferrule. Hallmarked 1888.

Antique parasol, folding ivory handle with silk shade cloth

Folding Ivory Handle Antique Parasol with Silk Shade

Antique parasol, folding ivory handle with silk shade cloth

An early 20th century Oriental silver parasol handle, modelled…

Oriental Silver Cherry Blossom Parasol Handle

An early 20th century Oriental silver parasol handle, modelled as a section of bamboo and decorated in relief with cherry blossom with details picked out in coloured enamels, stamped character marks. Length 23 cm (excluding wooden insert)

Gilt metal and porcelain mounted French parasol, 92 cm long

French porcelain parasol with gilt metal mount

Gilt metal and porcelain mounted French parasol, 92 cm long

Antique agate and sterling silver mounted parasol, inscription…

Antique Agate Silver Parasol, H. Edson Inscription 1903

Antique agate and sterling silver mounted parasol, inscription H. Edson 1903, Birmingham 1893-94, 89 cm long