Posted 2 years ago
I have had this lovely parasol for many years.I am not sure of it's age.
An umbrella or parasol, also called a brolly (UK slang), parapluie (nineteenth century, French origin), rainshade, sunshade, gamp (British, informal), bumbershoot (American slang), or umbrolly (UK slang), is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain. Often the difference is the material; some parasols are not waterproof. Parasols are often meant to be fixed to one point and often used with patio tables or other outdoor furniture. Umbrellas are almost exclusively hand-held portable devices; however, parasols can also be hand-held. The collapsible (or folding) umbrella may have first been used in China, although its appearance elsewhere seems to have been independent, and had sliding levers similar to those in use today.