Object Number 1956.0510 A- I

Object Name

Tool (for needlework) (Sewing case)

Category

Tools

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Place of Origin

France, Europe

Origin Notes

Probably france.

Date

1800-1850

Materials

Leather; Wood; Glass; Iron; Mother-of-pearl; Ormolu; Silk

Dimensions (inches)

3.5 (H) , 5 (W) , 1 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

8.9 (H) , 12.7 (W) , 2.5 (D)

Object Description

Web - 11/13/2016

A fancy sewing case, made of leather and filled with needlework tools. A shell-shaped, hinged case covered in red leather over wood with stamped border outline of gilt leaves; bottom covered with striped and flowered printed cotton in red with yellow, black, and green. There is a fitted mirror inside the lid, framed by a silk pipe cleaner (silk threads on a flexible wire). The interior contains fitted compartments for sewing equipment made of mother-of-pearl, glass, silver, steel and ormolu; the contents are (b & c) two thread spools, (d) scent bottle, (e) thimble, (f) needle case, (g) bodkin, (h) scissors, and (i) a six-pointed, flat, star-like thread winder; j) thimble contains small, oval, inlaid decorative element in metal bearing an enameled flower; similar inlay missing from needle case. Groups of needlework tools in a case are also called etui, style of this case also called palais royale.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Rogers, Gay Ann. 1983 An Illustrated History of Needlework Tools.
• pg 45-48
[Book] Rogers, Gay Ann. 1983 An Illustrated History of Needlework Tools.
• Very similar thimble pictured, pg 81, plate 52
[Book] Rogers, Gay Ann. 1983 An Illustrated History of Needlework Tools.
• Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
[Web Site] 09/24/2015 Tin-Mercury Amalgam Mirrors - AIC Wiki. 2020 https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Tin-Mercury_Amalgam_Mirrors
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