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 three 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.
Umbrella
Shaped Needle Holders
These figural needle holders date from the 19th Century.
The one on top has a wooden body with ivory fittings.The bottom one in the photo is all ivory and a bit more slender in form. The Stanhope insert is missing. Both are carved with great detail and skill.
VM-ncase-umb1 VM-ncase-umb2
Excellent . . . . . $125.00 / each
Carved
Ivory Umbrella
Shaped Needle Cases
These figural needle holders date from the 19th Century.
The one on top has a clenched fist with a Stanhope but I nearly went cross-eyed
trying to look at it! Both the top and bottom fittings unscrew on this
one. There is a tiny bit of damage at one edge.The bottom one also has a Stanhope insert and it depicts a scene from Gettysburg, PA. Both are carved with great detail and skill.
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
EJ-ncase-umb1 EJ-ncase-umb2
Excellent . . . . . $125.00 / each
Ivory Umbrella Needle Case w/ Stanhope
There is some chipping / damage along the top edge, but it still screws
together. The pic inside is OK. Nice!
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
DC-SEW-NCSTAN
Good . . . . . . . $55.00
Fabulous
Figural "Pea Pod" Ivory Needle Cases
These 19th Century needlecases are exquisite and incredibly
realistic in form. These are the caliber of pieces that you only find in
longtime collections. I have never seen anything quite as nice, and
imagine the love and thought that the maker expressed both in the making and the
giving.The pod on top has a perfectly shaped tip. VM-ncase-pod1
The pod on bottom has a wonderful stem. VM-ncase-pod2 SOLD!
Excellent......... $225.00 each
Carved
Ivory Needle / Bodkin Cases
The case on the left has a series of carved rings and measures about 3
1/4". It looks large enough inside to be a holder for narrow bodkins as
well as traditional needles. It has two small cracks in the cap.
VM-ncase-ring1
The case on the right has a different carving pattern of concentric rings and bands. It measures about 4" in length. It is missing its stanhope. VM-ncase-ring2 SOLD!
Very Good......... $25.00
Carved Ivory Needle Case
Nice!
DC-SEW-INC
Good . . . . . . . $55.00
4
Different Antique Bone / Ivory Needle Holders
I can't be sure if the one on the far left is bone or ivory. It
is a very elegant 4" tall form, and made to stand. There is a hairline
crack in the top that does not appear to go all the way through.
VM-ncase-41
The second one is dumbbell shaped and opens on one end. VM-ncase-42
Next is an ivory case trimmed with a silver or nickel plated metal cap at each end and ring around the threaded end. VM-ncase-43
The case on the right is a nicely carved and shaped needle holder that measures about 2 3/4". VM-ncase-44 SOLD!
Very Good......... $15.00 each
Large
Carved Ivory and Gold Inlaid Needle Case
On the left is one of the most beautiful needle cases I have ever seen.
A fabulous 3 1/2" long rectangular piece, it is inlaid in a decorative pattern
with tiny round gold metal circles, though some are missing. It is
monogrammed with two initials and topped with a carved basket of fruit.
VM-ncase-gRound Heavily Carved Needle Case On the right is another nice ivory needle holding case. The carving has an Oriental feel on this one, and inside the top it looks to be signed although I can't actually make out the initials or mark. VM-ncase-ortl
Inlaid .........Very Good ....... $295.00
Oriental .........Very Good .......$55.00 SOLD!
3
Carved Coquilla Nut "Vegetable Ivory" Antique Needle Cases
All three of these cases are really lovely. The light colored case
on the left, large enough to house needles or small bodkins, opens at both ends.
VM-ncase-veg1
In the middle is an acorn-inspired design that is symmetrical and incredibly realistic. It also opens at both ends. VM-ncase-veg2 SOLD!
On the right is a nicely carved case that will hold a substantial number of needles or even several smaller bodkins. It is made to stand upright. There is a bit of minor damage in the way of flaking to the base that is hardly noticeable. VM-ncase-veg3
Very Good ....... $55.00 each
Carved Coquilla Nut "Vegetable Ivory" Antique Needle Case
This three piece needle case is large enough to house needles or small bodkins,
and opens at both ends. Some minor damage but still very nice.
EJ-ncase-veg1
Good ....... $55.00
Vintage
Wooden Needle Case
This chip carved and painted needle holder is
very folk-y and very well done.
EJ-wcase-1
Very Good ....... $10.00
3 Wooden Needle Cases
The needle case on the left is quite simple in design and very functional.
The threaded top unscrews. The bottom is marked "Made in Czechoslovakia".
KR-ncase-w1
The middle case is a figural one which very cleverly incorporates a pair of hands folded in prayer into the top, which is obviously hand carved. KR-ncase-w2
The case on the right features very intricate carving, almost Black Forest-like in style. KR-ncase-w3
Left ........ Very Good ....... $10.00
Middle ........ Very Good ....... $75.00
Right ........ Very Good ....... $75.00
2
Wooden Needle Holders
On the left is a 4" wooden needle holder that is heavily carved with a
pattern of grape leaves and bunches of grapes, in very high relief. It is
carved in the style of Black Forest wood carvings and is in very nice condition
overall. VM-ncase-wd1
On the right is a much more simple design of a wooden case. A beautiful and delicate piece, but the interesting fact is that it looks like it was not quite finished as the inside of the narrow end is not carved out. VM-ncase-wd2
Left ......Very Good......... $95.00 SOLD!
Right ......Very Good......... $10.00
19th
Century English Wire Bound Needle Case
This is a very unique needlecase. The case itself is brass and it
is painstakingly decorated with twisted brass wire and tiny chain---a very
intricate design!
VM-needlecase-1
Very Good......... $55.00
2
Early Unusual Victorian Needle Cases
These are two very unusual Victorian needlecases.
The one on the left is made of quill and intricately wrapped with very fine wire, with blue tasseled ends. VM-needlecase-Q
The needle and / or bodkin case on the right is comprised of green, black, white, and red beads over an ivory core. VM-needlecase-B
Good......... $125.00 each
Metal "Chinaman" Needle Case
I am not sure if this is a stand alone piece or belongs on a chatelaine.
Very different, very nice!
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
DC-SEW-CMANNC
Good +. . . . . . . $125.00
5
Silver Needle Cases
These are all very nice with the two on either end being particularly
unusual and heavier weight. The case on the far left has a square bottom
that acts as a base to allow the case to stand upright. It is highly
ornamental. The case on the far right has a thread winder top, and
probably originally had a cap that screwed on to it. This one is quite
rare.
From Left to Right:
#1 .......Good......... $200.00 VM-s-ncase-1 SOLD!
#2 #3 #4 .......Good......... $35.00 / Each VM-s-ncase-2, 3, 4
#5 .......Good......... $200.00 VM-s-ncase-5 SOLD
5
Brass and Gold Wash Needle Cases
Each of these needle cases are very different and very lovely.The case on the top is turned brass and has good weight to it. Both ends unscrew and it can hold bodkins as well as needles.
Along the bottom row is a heavily embossed needle / bodkin holder in gold wash, with a small gold wash bodkin inside.
Then a small gold needlecase, probably French.
Next is a heavy, long, decorated needle / bodkin holder in gold wash. It has a beautiful patina. If you are interested in this one please ask me for better and more detailed pictures so you can see how lovely it really is.
And finally a simple and functional long needle holder in brass.
Top ......
Good ..... $35.00 VM-br-ncase-1
Bottom From Left to Right:
#1 .......Good......... $75.00
VM-gw-ncase-1
#2 .......Good......... $150.00
VM-gw-ncase-2
SOLD!
#3 .......Good......... $95.00
VM-gw-ncase-3
#4 .......Good......... $10.00
VM-br-ncase-2
5
Ivory / Bone Needle Cases
These five different needlecases show a sampling of the amazing array of shapes, sizes, designs of antique needlecases that can be found. Note that even the simple cylinder shaped one on the left is treated royally with silver trim collars at either end. The figural umbrella shaped one on the far right is nothing short of charming. There is a crack in the top. The three in between all show creativity and skill in workmanship. The heavily carved one is probably bone. It also has a crack in the top and looks like it would have had a Stanhope
but that is missing.
From Left to Right:
#1 ...... Good ..... $20.00 KR-icase-1
SOLD!
#2 .......Good......... $25.00
KR-icase-2
#3 .......Good......... $35.00
KR-icase-3
#4.......Good......... $30.00
KR-icase-4
#5 .......Good......... $65.00
KR-icase-5
Carved Ivory Bodkin / Needle Case
This is a pretty incredible piece. The carving of this needle case is very detailed and very intricate
with very deep carving. It contains an amazing array of hand carved bodkins and needles of different
sorts. Perhaps a sailor’s handiwork? There is a crack in the top but is stable. There is also a
chip on the bottom.
KR-carv-nc
Good......... $295.00
Antique Barrel-Shaped German Needle Case
This is a very clever case that allows needles to be stored according to size. When the lid is
turned so the mark lines up with the number only the needles of that size can be removed. I have had these before and typically they show a lot of wear”, but this one is in outstanding
condition.
KR-bar-nc
Good......... $35.00 SOLD!
Antique Barrel-Shaped Needle Cases
This is a very clever case that allows needles to be stored according to
size. When the lid is turned so the mark lines up with the number only the
needles of that size can be removed. Nice!
AMN NC-1 AMN NC-2
Good +. . . . . . . $35.00 / Choice
Stenciled
Lacquered Wooden
Needlebook
The front and back covers of this needlebook are wood, with multi-toned
stenciled fern leaf designs and a lacquer finish. The tag on the
front, which is partly missing, reads "Arthur James Needles and J.R.
Clark Junr & Co's Spool Cotton Give Perfect Satisfaction." Though
the "binding" and the felt "pages" are tattered it is a very well-made
piece, with a scalloped edge interior edge set up with a numbering
system to organize needles according to size. Very unusual!
KR-leaf-nbook
Good......... $35.00
Fabric
Needle Pouch with American Indian Beadwork
This needle case is made of old black fabric and beautifully covered with
North American Indian beadwork. Though there is some wear to the fabric and some missing beads on
the edges it is a really fine piece.
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
VM-bd-ncase
Good-......... $75.00
3
Wooden Transferware
Needle Cases
The wooden tube case holds crochet hooks. The scenes on it are Ryde
Pier and Something Pond, making it English in origin.The wooden "barrel" is marked "Germany". To remove the needles you simply rotate the top so that the arrow lines up with the appropriate numbered needle that you want to fetch out. It still retains it's original paper label from Gimbles, a department store in NYC.
The mushroom shaped one is a combination needle case and darner. Amazingly and fortunately it was never used as a darner, which would have marred the fabulous transferware scene. Typically it is English scenes that are depicted, but this is "The Summit House, Wachusett Mountain, Princeton, Mass. 2018 Feet Above Sea Level". On the back side it is marked "Scotland". It is extremely rare to find American scenes on these typically English and European "souvenir" pieces. A great one!
VM-tsfwr-1 VM-tsfwr-2 VM-tsfwr-3
Left ...Very Good......... $25.00
SOLD!
Middle ...Very Good......... $35.00
Right ...Very Good......... $65.00
Ivory Needlework Template
I believe this would have been used as a template to mark off an embroidery pattern for stitching. Very classy, very fine!
KR-Needle-Temp
Good ......... $195.00
Carved
Ivory / Bone Antique Knitting Needle Guards
The whimsical pair on the left look to be
ivory and are carved in the shape of hooves. VM-knit-1The pair on the right are probably bone, and although not figural are carved in great and meticulous detail. They still retain their original ribbon. VM-knit-2
Very Good ......... $75.00 each
Rare
Ivory Knitting Needle Sheath
On the right is an unusual piece that I
was not familiar with. Gay Ann Rogers describes knitting needle sheaths as
"curious implements whose.....function is not to act as a case for knitting
needles but to make knitting more efficient." Apparently one would tuck
the sheath into one's waistband and use it to support the bottom of the knitting
needle in order to free up that hand. This example is heavily carved.
There is a little damage at one end and it appears to be missing an end cap as
well, but it's rarity overshadows those apologies.
VM-knit-3
Carved Ivory Pen Holder / Wax Seal / Stanhope On the left is a neat piece as well. Not sewing related but certainly something that would have been used by women of the same status. It is heavily and intricately carved ivory that houses a pen nib. There is an intact stanhope with 4 different scenes of Niagara Falls at the far end that is topped off with little cross-hatched sealing wax stamp. There was apparently something else in the way of an end cap or stand that is missing from the bottom.VM-pen-1
Good ......... $125.00 each
Knitting
Sheath Made of Carved Wood, Signed
This rare piece is a carved wooden knitting
sheath, used in one's waistband to support the
bottom of a knitting needle. It is probably English dating from the 18th
century, and I believe it to be hand-made. It is "folky" in appearance
with a decorative tri-color wood inlay. There is a pewter inset inscribed
with the initials "A.J." Sewing tools like this were often made and given
as presents from a suitor to his betrothed, so the initials could be those of
the maker or of the receiver. Unusual!
VM-knit-4
Good ......... $145.00
Mother of Pearl Thread Winders
All three of these are really nice. The two that hold spools of
thread come apart so you can insert the spool. The one on the far
right is a snowflake shape winder. Beautiful!
DC-SEW-Winders
Good +. . . . . . . $95.00 for all 3
Wooden Acorn Thread Case
This is much darker in color in person. It is very nicely done,
and a good fit. Most of these in this acorn shape were made as thimble
holders, but this one is outfitted to hold needle and thread.
Different and nice!
DC-SEW-ACORN
Good +. . . . . . . $95.00
Vintage Blindfold
Automatic Needle Threaders These
spring-loaded gadgets make threading a needle a breeze. Both for one
money!
DC-SEW-BF
Good +. . . . . . . $20.00 for the pair
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