NEEDLEWORK TOOLS

A selection from our current stock of needlework tools.

Early enamel tape measures are a rarity and despite the two chips to the base this piece remains a good example.Dating from the 18th Century, the design is of flowers painted onto a gingham background.

Price: £450




A combination thimble, scent bottle and tape measure - a delightful early 19th.or late 18th Century toy. These pretty objects were most probably made in Birmingham. This one has a filigree thimble which unscrews to reveal a facetted miniature scent bottle. This combination is attached to a working tape measure. Unfortunately the tape only starts at 21 inches and appears to be original.

Price: £ 890




A mid-18th Century standing thimble etui. These were usually German and are also known as hussifs. The various sections unscrew to provide a thimble , a spool, a wafer or patch container, a bodkin case and a seal.




A straw work box, French circa 1810, containing numerous compartments and including a small oval box and needlecase. Charming vignettes are revealed under glass as the box is opened.




A round Dutch silver thread basket with swing handle. The base also bears English import marks. This is a highly desirabe item rarely seen outside the Netherlands.




A late 16th/early 17th. Century Flemish steel scissors case. One side is engraved with acrowned female head, the stem engraved with foliage. Overall length 3 1/2 inches.




A Tunbridge teapot pin cushion with original pad. The spout and the knob on top are of bone.




A fine early painted Tunbridge clamp with an attached tape measure and original velvet pin cushion. The silk measure is probably not original, marked in yards starting at 1/2 yard.




Mother-of-pearl shuttle. I have several of these lovely shuttles at the moment.




A pretty silver shoe pin cushion, hallmarked Birmingham 1906. The blue velvet cushion is a replacement.




A very fine and unusual free-hand-drawn Mauchline knitting needle holder. The double-ended knitting needles are contained in the wooden tube and the work rests outside through the slit. The two pieces divide it the centre for inserting the needles when the work is at rest. Early 19th. Century. Length 10 1/2 inches.




Fully hallmarked silver stork ribbon pullers, marked London 1872, maker WWW, and designed to stand on the foot. (No baby in holder.)




18th Century ivory needlecase. The body is decorated with a shield engraved MHM over a background of a spear and roses. The back shows two crossed arrows encircled by a wreath tied with a ribbon. The top is decorated with faces on the sides above columns of leaves.The bottom finial of the body is cross-hatched on both sides.




A very nice gilded brass monkey tape measure in excellent condition. The tape is original and complete. Original glass eyes.