AN ARABIAN headdress believed to have been worn by TE Lawrence is expected to create plenty of interest at a vintage clothing auction in Dorchester.
The Keffiyah has been put up for sale by a private vendor and it is claimed it once belonged to Lawrence of Arabia himself. The headdress, which will go on sale at Duke’s auction house on June 30, was apparently given to a close friend by TE Lawrence shortly before he was killed in a motorcycle accident near his Clouds Hill home in 1935.
The friend then passed the item on to the present owner, as she was a collector of vintage clothing.
The lot is expected to fetch around £150 to £250.
The vintage clothing auction will also include 1950s fashion, a Louis Vutton shoe trunk and a 1930s Canadian military parachute.
Duke’s valuer Deborah Doyle said: “At Duke’s we often have TE Lawrence memorabilia brought into us and we are most fortunate to have a saleroom so near to where Lawrence once lived at Clouds Hill.
“TE Lawrence memorabilia is highly collectable and always creates worldwide interest.
“To have an item which was possibly worn in the Arab revolt against the Turks in 1916-1918 by Lawrence himself is very exciting.”
As well as something for TE Lawrence enthusiasts, Mrs Doyle said there would be a host of other lots to draw interest.
She said: “It’s very exciting as this time we’ve got lots of completely different items in.
“We’ve got clothes from the Victorian period and we’ve even got some military items in.”
The clothes on sale include an Ozzie Clark dress and a Mary Quant poncho, while a lady’s dagger disguised as a fan will also be up for grabs.
Mrs Doyle said: “The poncho is really quite interesting and fun and we’ve got a gents’ swim suit from the 1920s too.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here