Antique Sewing / Needlework Kits
Etui
Most of the sewing related antiques you will find on this and our other Sewing Accessories pages originated from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, and were part two large and diverse antique sewing collections we are handling on consignment. This is the first time most of these pieces have been out on the market in many years.
19th
Century Lady's Antique Sewing "Purse"
This is an extremely unusual piece---a fabulous and elaborate little
purse, specially made for and outfitted with 19th century antique sewing and
needlework tools. My collector felt it was perhaps a seamstress' purse, or
a purse that a "lady's maid" might have carried when her "Lady" went visiting,
so that she could repair anything that might needed attention. It is
equally likely it was a fashion accessory, an object of decoration, carried by
an upper class woman, meant to be shown off and admired as much as used.
It is covered in what looks to be crocodile leather, with a sterling silver
frame, hallmark dated 1867,
London, England. The chain for the purse to hang from the waistband is
silver also. The silver clasp on the front of the bag is also hallmarked.
The interior is lined in blue silk and there are several sections for all the
tools to tuck into. There is a crochet hook handle in ivory/bone, an embroidery
stiletto, a small button hook, all with ivory/bone handles. And a very small
pencil. There is a small notebook covered in the blue silk which is unused, as
well as a silk needle holder and a small mirror. There is a sterling thimble
and a sterling tape measure holder, however, the blue measuring tape has fallen
out, but is in one of the pockets of the bag.
The condition is very good and I have never seen another one like it. This piece is from an outstanding and long-time collection, and is not something that is likely to come available again. My consigner stated that although "it is not the most beautiful piece I have had, it is perhaps the most charming. I have always been fond of it."
Highly recommend!
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Very Good....................$2495.00 VM-etui-4
Trunk
Shaped Figural Victorian Etui
This Victorian sewing kit is shaped like a little trunk and outfitted
with steel tools that include a scissors, stiletto, buttonhook, needle case,
bodkin and a packet of needles. It measures just under 6" across.
The outside is leather or a similar material and the inside is purple paper and
silk, and is divided into 4 little compartments. The trunk lid has
separated from the base but could probably be restored. Overall the
trunk shows some wear, but the handle and front latch are intact and it still
displays nicely. These Victorian sewing kits are quite difficult to find
these days, and rarely do you see the figural
examples like this one.
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Good-....................$295.00 VM-etui-1
Lady's
Companion "Necessarie"
This small flat leather covered sewing case has a silk and velvet
interior and is fitted with all the tools the lady of the day would have needed
including a one piece bone crochet hook, bone handled and steel stiletto,
crochet hook, knife and manicure tool, and a silk covered needlebook.
There is a packet of needles and tweezers in it as well. The tools are not
likely all original but it is still a nice looking case that illustrates the
style of the day.
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Good....................$95.00 VM-etui-3
Victorian
Tortoise Shell Covered Etui and Needle Box
This beautiful tortoise shell-covered rectangular box measures about 5"
by 3" by 1" tall. It is has applied silver corners and an un-monogrammed
cartouche or inset. The fitted interior is lined with red velvet. It
is outfitted with a beautiful set
of ladies sewing tools. There is an exquisitely elaborate pair of little
scissors, complete with sheath. There is an ornately decorated thimble,
which tests as silver, and
a simply elegant little bodkin with a tiny acorn shaped point. The other
two pieces are a bone handled stiletto and tool with a tweezers on one end and a
little spoon on the other. I can find no markings on any of the tools and
don't know if they are all original or not, but I believe most of them are.
It is a really fabulous piece!
Sitting next to it is a little tortoise shell box with a hinged dome lid with having a silver inset on which is inscribed the word "Needles". It measures about 1" by 2". The entire box is covered in tortoise shell---including the bottom---it is hinged and it has a clasp very similar to that of the etui.
Although they are not a matched set the two pieces work really well together and complement each other.
Highly recommend!
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Etui .....Very Good ......... $1495.00 VM-etui-4
Needle Box .....Very Good ......... $295.00 VM-tort-nb