#5861                                                                                  

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Necessaire - This lovely necessaire has one of the most unusual boxes I have ever seen.   The rosewood box has a piece of convex glass on the top that covers a beautiful repousee' scene of cherubs frolicking in a forest, all surrounded by foliage and swirls.  It is both beautiful and unusual.  The box measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" x 1 3/4" high. 

The tools inside the box include silver scissors, needlecase, thimble (a replacement) and a knife, as well as a mother of pearl silkwinder.  The set is missing its bodkin.   All of the tools are in very good condition, as is the box.   The only condition problem is that the mirror on the inside lid is cracked.                                                                                                                                                                   $845.00           

     #6128 - Piano Workbox

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This incredible figural sewing workbox is

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                                                        made in the form of a lovely piano.   It measures 11 3/4" x 7" x 6" high.  The grain of the wood used is quite beautiful, as are the ivory piano keys.  The piano stands on four lovely and delicately turned dark wood legs.     

The inside lid has a chenille edged mirror which is fairly cloudy.   The velvet-lined fitted tray holds the following sewing tools:  silver scissors, stiletto, needlecase and thimble (a replacement), steel tweezers/earspoon and a second pair of scissors, and a cut crystal scent bottle with its original stopper and a silver top.   In addition there are two wonderful pincushions with metal embroidery and silver spangles. 

The four circular mirrors in the tray would probably have held four mother of pear silkwinders, which are missing.   One of the small mirrors is missing its chenille edging and there is also a bodkin missing. 

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But, all of the other tools are there and are original (except the thimble).   The silver scissors have been repaired.  There would also have originally been a music movement in the bottom of the box, which is missing.   In spite of a few condition problems, this is still a lovely and rare sewing workbox.                                                                                         $3675.00

                                                                     #6086                                                                                  

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Miniature Etui - This wonderful little etui measures just 1" x 1 1/2" x 2 3/4" high.  It is made of a gilded metal (brass, I think) and is hand engraved with birds, flowers and paired hearts. So, perhaps it was meant to be a gift from a young gentleman for his lady.  The tools inside include tiny scissors (just 2 1/4"), bodkin/earspoon, stiletto, pencil topper and tweezers/file.  I believe it to be late 18th century. 

Unfortunately, it is missing some pieces.  Probably an aide memoire, scent bottle, pen knife and 2 other very small pieces.   The stiletto has lost its gilding and the button closure is a bit loose, but still works.  It is otherwise in very good condition for a piece of this age.  Even without all of the pieces, it is still a lovely and rare miniature etui at a very affordable price.                                          $650.00           

                                                                     #6124                                                                                  

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Workbox - This very elegant sewing workbox measures 8 1/2" x 6" x 3 1/4" high and is paper lined on the inside.  It has its original key although the lock does not appear to be working.   The tools in the fitted tray include two pair of steel scissors (2 1/4" and 4"), a steel bodkin, four ivory silkwinders, ivory thimble, quiver shaped needlecase, tambour hook and stiletto.  All of the tools are original to the box.  The thimble and needlecase are particularly beautiful.   This is obviously a very high quality workbox.

The stiletto is missing its blade and one of the silkwinders has the tip missing on one of its points.   There is also a crack across the bottom of the box  and some small stains on the tray.  But, in spite of a few condition problems, this is still a wonderful high quality antique sewing workbox.                   $1650.00          

                                                                       #6155                                                                                  

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Black Shagreen and Silver Etui   - This rare sharkskin etui is circa 1780 - 1800.   The black shagreen etuis are even more rare than the green ones.  This one is also very special because it has some very unusual pieces.   The tools include a two page ivory aide memoire with some writing on it (too faded to read, I'm afraid), scissors with silver fingerholes, silver penknife, bodkin/earspoon, stiletto (a replacement), tweezers/file, and a miniature silver compendium.  The compendium piece is extremely rare.  The third picture shows the compendium opened.   It features three reels, a thimble, a needlecase, and the stopper of the needlecase which is actually a tiny ink pen.  This is an extremely special etui.

The condition of the etui is quite good.   It is missing one very small piece. One point of the scissors has a tiny break - almost not noticible.  The sharkskin has two small missing pieces ( near the bottom.).  The silver top of the etui has a few dents on the very top and the slotted silver piece will lift off the the etui, but then it fits right back on.   That too, is not noticible unless you are looking for it.   I am being very picky and mentioning very minor problems to the condition.                                                                                                $1895.00            

                                                                       #5398                                                                                  

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Tambour Etui - This stunning etui is made of tortoise and features a silver plate for engraving on the top.   There are no initials engraved on the plate.   The case holds seven different size tambour hooks (one is missing), and the handle for the hooks which is made of mother of pearl.   Tambour hooks look very similar to crochet hooks, only they are much smaller.  Tambour work was popular in the 19th century.  It was a type of embroidery that used a steel hook to pull a loop of thread through the fabric.

   It measures 1 1/2" x 1/2" x 3 3/4" high.  The condition of this etui is very good.   There are no chips or cracks in the tortoise and the button closure works quite well.  There is one missing hook, but absolutely no other problems to the condition.                                                                                 $875.00           

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#6075

Tunbridge Pincushion Box - This beautiful little box is an example of the Tunbridgeware made in Tunbridge Wells England in the mid 19th century.  Tunbridgeware is the process of inlaying natural colored woods in a mosaic pattern.  

The box measures 3" wide by 1 3/4"deep by 1 1/2" high, and it is in good condition.   The top slides open to reveal storage for silks and needles, etc.            $275.00

     #6045 - Gold Etui 

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This lovely French etui is an excellent example of the type of elegant sewing accessories being made in Paris in the mid 18th century.  The box is

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finely tooled red leather over wood with a velvet lined fitted tray.  It measures 4 1/2" x 2 5/8" x 3/4" and although the button latch does work, it is quite tight, so I prefer not to close it tightly.   

The tools inside are 18kt. gold and include scissors, needlecase, thimble and the most wonderful figural bodkin/earspoon I have ever seen.  It is not just

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shaped like an arrow - it features very realistic feathers on one end and an arrow pointed tip.   Be sure to click on the 3rd picture to see it in the enlargement. 

The condition is very good, although the set is not complete.  It is missing its scent bottle and probably a stiletto or toothpick (I'm not quite sure which).  The thimble has the initials "AT" engraved on it.   All of the tools are in excellent condition.  This is a lovely set that is quite elegant in its simplicity.                                                                                                              $1150.00