Needle & Thread Related Antiques
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.
Umbrella
Shaped Needle Holders
These figural needle holders date from the 19th Century.
The one on top has a wooden body with ivory fittings.
VM-ncase-umb1
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-umb2
Excellent......... $165.00 each
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......... $250.00 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
Very Good......... $65.00 each
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......... $35.00 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-g
Round 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 ....... $425.00
Oriental .........Very Good .......$75.00
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
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 ....... $125.00 each
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-wd1
Left ......Very Good......... $150.00
Right ......Very Good......... $25.00
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!
Very Good......... $75.00 VM-needlecase-1
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......... $175.00 each
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
#2, #3, #4 .......Good......... $75.00 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 ..... $45.00 VM-br-ncase-1
Bottom From Left to Right:
#1 .......Good......... $85.00 VM-gw-ncase-1
#2 .......Good......... $150.00 VM-gw-ncase-2
#3 .......Good......... $125.00 VM-gw-ncase-3
#4 .......Good......... $15.00 VM-br-ncase-2
Fabric
Needle Pouch with American Indian Beadwork
This needle case is made of old black fabric and beautifully covered with
North American Indian beadwork. The back, which I didn't provide you with
a picture of, is even more ornately beaded than the front. Email me for a
picture. Though there is some wear to the fabric and some missing beads on
the edges it is a really fine piece.
Good-......... $150.00 VM-bd-ncase
Hand-Sewn Silk
Needle Case and Tape Measure
This little rolled "case" is handmade from yellow silk and what I guess
is muslin fabric where the needles are held. It is decorated with assorted
embroidery stitches and each of the sections is numbered for the size of the
needles to be placed there. There is a pillow shaped pincushion in one end
and a compartment at the other that houses an incredibly charming handmade pink
silk tape measure, using what appears to be some sort of fabric paint to mark
out the increments. It is quite fragile and the end portion has begun to
deteriorate, but the rest is still in quite good shape and with careful handling
and storage will probably last another 100 or so years.
Good-......... $22.00 VM-needlecase-2
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.
VM-tsfwr-1
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. VM-tsfwr-2
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-3
Left ...Very Good......... $25.00 SOLD!
Middle ...Very Good......... $55.00
Right ...Very Good......... $95.00
Mauchline
Needle Case
This style of woodenware with transfer design was very popular in the
late 1800's. It was meant to simulate pen and ink hand-drawn scenes but
was actually a printing process. This wooden case measures about 9" long
and would have been used to hold crochet hooks or large needles. The scene
depicted on it is an elaborate building labeled "Highland House Camp Ground" and
it is surrounded by a very detailed oval floral pattern.
Very Good......... $35.00 SOLD!
VM-needlecase-3
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-1
The 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 ......... $85.00 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 ......... $195.00 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 ......... $195.00
3
Antique Thread Waxers
The mother-of-pearl thread waxer in the center top of the photo still has
the wax intact. The one on the left is also mother-of-pearl and very
decorative with a daisy-like floral design. The waxer on the right looks
just like a little pumpkin.
Very Good ......... $35.00 each top one SOLD! Other two AVAILABLE
VM-waxers-1
8
Antique Bone / Ivory Thread Winders
When do you ever find these any more? The snowflakes have different
flowers in their centers. All are in very, very good condition---use them
(carefully) or display them.
2 Snowflakes........Very Good .......... $40.00 each SOLD!
3 Pillow Shaped ........Very Good .......... $15.00 each VM-winders1 Available
1 Cross Shape........Very Good .......... $20.00 SOLD!
1 Quadruple........Very Good .......... $50.00 SOLD!
3
Victorian Mother of Pearl Thread Winders
These are really beautiful and perfect to outfit that special antique
sewing box.
2 Large Pillows........Excellent .......... $50.00 each SOLD!
1 Small Square........Excellent .......... $30.00 SOLD!
VM-winders2
Three
Antique Thread Winders
On the top is a heavily carved clamp-on ivory thread winder. The
carving is exceptional and the winding spool is extremely thin and delicate.
The cap on top unscrews so the spool can be removed.
VM-winder-clamp
On the bottom left is an intricately carved vegetable ivory winder which I just noticed unscrews apart. Very nice! VM-winder-round
The more traditional looking "spool" on the bottom right is very elegant looking. The carving is extremely detailed in a floral pattern so that the end caps look like two beautiful buttons. It too unscrews. I am not completely sure of the material it is made from---I guess it is celluloid and perhaps stained a lovely bone white or grayish white color making it very, very classy looking. VM-winder-spool
Clamp On ..... Excellent ........ $165.00 SOLD!
Round ......... Excellent .......... $45.00 SOLD!
Spool .......... Excellent .......... $45.00 SOLD!
Celluloid
Figural Thread Winder / Needle Holder
This ingenious piece is a combination 5-spool thread winder and needle
case. It looks to be made of celluloid. Not only can you pull the
spools out of the case, but the pointed top pulls off as well
so that needles can be stored inside. There is patent information marked
on the end.
Excellent .......... $40.00
EJ-1669
Multi
Thread Winder / Needle Holder
This is the insert of a combination 5-spool thread winder and needle
case like the complete one above. As with the one above the pointed top pulls out
so that needles can be stored inside. There is patent information is also
marked on the end. (The extra waxed thread is included.)
Excellent .......... $15.00
VM-thread-1
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