Store C14 Baskets: A Vintage Hair Accessory Collector’s Guide

If you have ever opened a wooden drawer in a British antiques shop and found a tangle of tortoiseshell clips, faded velvet bands, and one or two wire basket hairpieces, you have encountered what collectors quietly call a “Store C14 basket.” The term appears on old inventory tags from department stores that no longer exist, and it refers to a specific display and storage system used for hair accessories between the 1920s and the 1960s. Understanding these baskets — their construction, their original purpose, and how to identify them today — is a practical skill for anyone who buys, sells, or simply loves vintage British hair pieces.

What Exactly Is a Store C14 Basket?

The “C14” designation comes from a retail classification code used by several London department stores, most notably the now-closed Swan & Edgar at Piccadilly Circus and the original Liberty & Co. haberdashery floor. In their internal cataloguing system, C stood for “costume accessories” and 14 for “hair ornaments and small headwear.” The baskets themselves were shallow, rectangular trays woven from stiff wire, often coated in a dark green or black enamel. They measured roughly 30 cm by 20 cm, with a depth of about 6 cm, and had reinforced edges to prevent snagging on silk linings or delicate celluloid combs.

Store clerks would line these baskets with acid-free tissue paper — a practice that predated modern conservation advice — and arrange hair accessories by colour and material. A single C14 basket might hold a dozen hair slides, six side combs, and four velvet-covered bands. The system allowed customers to browse without handling every item, and it kept the stock visible yet protected from dust and the oils of human hands.

Why Collectors Seek Them Out

Original Store C14 baskets are rare for two reasons. First, most were discarded when department stores modernised their displays in the 1970s. Second, the enamel coating on the wire is prone to chipping, and once it flakes, the underlying metal can rust and stain the accessories stored inside. A basket in good condition — intact enamel, no bent wires, original label still attached — can fetch between £40 and £100 at specialist vintage textile fairs, depending on the store provenance.

Beyond their monetary value, these baskets offer a tangible link to how British women shopped for hair accessories before the rise of plastic blister packs. The Nia Tortoiseshell Hair Clip, for example, was often sold loose from a C14 basket, and a collector who finds the basket alongside the clip gains a fuller picture of its retail context. The same applies to the Nina Headband, which originally rested in a similar wire tray at the Liberty haberdashery counter.

How to Authenticate a Store C14 Basket

Because the term has become known among vintage dealers, reproduction baskets do appear. Here is how to tell an original from a later copy:

• Enamel finish: Original baskets have a slightly textured, matte enamel that was baked on. Reproductions often use glossy spray paint that chips in large flakes rather than in small, irregular patches.
• Wire gauge: Original C14 baskets use a 2.5 mm wire for the frame and a 1.2 mm wire for the weave. A reproduction will often use thinner or inconsistent wire.
• Labels: If a paper or fabric label remains, look for the store name printed in a serif typeface and the code “C14” handwritten in black ink. Modern fakes sometimes use a printed label with a sans-serif font.
• Patina: Original baskets show an even, gentle tarnish on the exposed metal edges. A basket that looks uniformly new is almost certainly a reproduction.

Using a Store C14 Basket for Your Own Collection

An original basket is not merely a display piece — it remains a practical storage tool. The open wire weave allows air circulation, which helps prevent moisture buildup that can damage cellulose acetate or vulcanite hair accessories. If you own a set of Nieve Pink hair slides or a collection of Maison Archives Scrunchies, a C14 basket lets you store them upright and visible, just as a shop assistant would have done seventy years ago.

To protect your accessories, line the basket with a strip of unbleached cotton muslin or archival tissue. Avoid felt or velvet linings, as they can trap dust and, over time, transfer dye onto light-coloured pieces. Place the basket on a shelf away from direct sunlight, because UV rays can accelerate the chipping of the enamel and fade the accessories inside.

Where to Find Store C14 Baskets Today

These baskets appear most frequently at three types of venues: dedicated vintage haberdashery fairs, online auctions specialising in shop fittings, and house clearances in former retail families’ estates. The best chance of finding one at a reasonable price is at a fair such as the Vintage Textile and Haberdashery Fair in Newark or the Antiques for Everyone show at the NEC in Birmingham. Online listings often use the search terms “vintage shop display basket,” “haberdashery wire tray,” or “old department store hair accessory basket.” If you see one listed with the term “C14” in the title, expect a premium price, but verify the store provenance before purchasing.

Caring for the Basket Itself

If you acquire a basket with chipped enamel, resist the urge to repaint it. The original finish is part of its historical value, and a repainted basket loses most of its collector appeal. Instead, remove loose flakes carefully with a soft brush and apply a thin coat of microcrystalline wax to the exposed metal to prevent further rust. Do not use wire wool or abrasive cleaners, as they will scratch the remaining enamel. A basket that is too fragile to hold accessories can still be hung on a wall as a shadow-box frame for a small collection of vintage hair pins or snoods.

The Broader Lesson for Conscious Collecting

The Store C14 basket is a reminder that the way we store and display our accessories is not neutral. Every Victorian hair receiver, every 1950s counter tray, every Edwardian glove box tells a story about how objects were valued and handled. Choosing to store your vintage hair pieces in an original retail basket is a small act of continuity: you are treating them the way a trained shop assistant once did, with the same respect for material and form. That continuity matters, especially when so many of these accessories were made to be seen, touched, and chosen by hand. A basket does not just hold your collection — it completes it.