HELP ! A thingy

I don't know if this is related to militaria in any way but I don't know where else to ask.

What is this vintage thing?

The golden parts are metallic and the whole thing is quite 3D in the middle (not flat, there's stuffing inside).

 

Royal Navy-ish or possibly Canada, Australia etc.
Looks too big for a cap so for uniform probably.
This may even be a cruise line.

 

Do you think it has any kind of value at all?

I found it for free at a textile recycling center so even if it's worthless that won't be a loss.

Oh, and what about the age?

 

I'm sure it does have value.
It may actually have a bit of gold in it.
I am still looking to identify the service it is. I now think not RN.

 

It could be Swedish Royal Navy or another in that area.
Wait for the folks from England....

 

This stuff is called soutache

My mom had a jacket with a soutache emblem on it - I was pretty fascinated by it.

 

That is nice!
This is true...... This could be a faux military uniform element for clothing.

 

I know very little about British military stuff and such, but am about positive the shape of the crown is a king's crown. A queen shape crown on these cap patches is more lobed. Examples

King's crown RN cap patch/badge from WWII
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/s.../wwii-style-kings-crown-gold-wire-314033.html

Queen's crown RN cap patch/badge:
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/s.../wwii-style-kings-crown-gold-wire-314033.html

I think the gold threading is called bullion - gold wire embroidery threading.

--- Susan

 

Awesome - another cool word for something I love, thanks Susan

I was surprised to see bullion is the stitch, not the material... I was thinking bullion was the metal used (gold)

I took a textiles class a few years ago and thought it was interesting at the time. You'd think I'd remember it

 

Those do look similar but are new. The only thing I'm quite sure about is that mine is at least from the 80's (based on condition and the type of support material in between the layers of fabric), possibly older but not newer.

Any conclusions?

 

The foul anchor is always naval, the crown is some official body, so not a yacht club, the gold wire is always pichbeck, or brass, and the three little crowns do usually indicate Sweden, in not naval maybe Swedish coastguard or similar. The wreath of leaves has little florets that look like thrift.

 

These were why I first stated RN but the 3 little crowns are the issue. Sweden uses 3 crowns in some insignaa/flags.

 

New information: It seems the thing is stuffed with some sort of (white) hair. I found that out when I tried to peek between the seams.

 

Polyester?

 

No No, some sort of non-curly animal hair. I tested one with fire and it burns exactly the same way (human) hair does too.

I know this because I once burned a hair of mine..

 

Hmmmm...
Ermine?
White Rat?
Mutt?
Great Grandpa?

 

The hairs are at least 2-3 cm long each. I couldn't get one out without it breaking though so who knows. The texture reminds me of rabbit or fox hair.

 

Rabbit is a good guess methinks.
I like all mine better....

 

The back looks like it's been around awhile.

 

Yes, I knew my examples were newer, but were only used to show the differences in the crowns. If it is British with a king's crown than would date it before 1952 or 1953 when King George VI died. I do like af's mention of the 3 crowns for Sweden. This style of bullion embroided badges with such a thick filler seems to date more towards WWI than WWII. With Sweden neutral during WWII and with a lack of Sweden's military stuff and such, I have nothing to add.

--- Susan