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  #6468                         

Tartanware Sewing Box - This wonderful little tartanware sewing box features a floral top with a verse entitled "Friendship".  The verse reads: "In friendship let me send this gift, To show my best endeavor.  To prove that friendship can be true Tho' distance may us sever."   The tartan is labeled "McBeth".         

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The inside of this lovely box still retains its original "Clark & Cos. Anchor Sewing Cottons" label.  The box measures 3" x 2" x 2".   It is in good condition with some wear but no actual damage.                                                                                                                                                             $345.00

                                                                       #6506                                                                                  

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Tortoise Etui  - This beautiful etui measures just 1 1/2" wide by 2 7/8" high by 3/4" thick.  There is a blank silver cartouche on both sides of the case.  The pieces inside of the elegant case include a lovely silver stiletto, a steel tweezers/file and a crystal scent bottle.  Interestingly, the scent bottle is cemented inside of the case and does not pull out.   I believe that is how it was made as the case was meant to be tipped upside down to use the scent.                    

There are a few small chips in the tortoise on both the top and bottom of the case, but as the shell is thicker than average, the case is not fragile at all.  The button closure works well and the stopper pulls out of the bottle easily.   In spite of the chips, the etui is in good condition.                                                                                                                                                                                                           $950.00            

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#6447

Silver Filigree Calling Card Case - This beautiful filigree card case is circa 1835 and is pro- bably English.   The filigree is delicate and feminine in appearance.  The button closure works well and the hinge is strong.  The silver cartouche on each side is blank.  The case measures 2" wide by 3 1/8" high by 1/4" thick.                                                                                                                                                                       $725.00

                                                                       #6567                                                                                    

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Tortoise Shell Necessaire  - This elegant necessaire features an especially beautiful tortoise shell box with a silver plate inscribed with the initials "CL".   The inside lid of the box is particularly beautiful with its gathered velvet anchored with five bows made of gold metal threads.   The tools in the fitted tray include: gilt scissors, thimble, needlecase, pencil, and bodkin as well as a mother of pearl stiletto and penknife.  The box measures   5 1/4" x 3 1/2" x 1 3/4" high.                      

The box is in excellent condition, with no chips in the shell.   The button closure works well.  All of the tools are original to the box and they are all in very good condition.   The only exception is that the blades of the scissors and the penknife are a bit tarnished. The box is lined with silk underneath the tray.                                                                                                                                                                                    $2150.00            

                                                                       #6489                                                                                  

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Palais Royal Sewing Workbox  - This lovely sewing workbox is circa 1820 and was made in the palais royal district of Paris.   The tooled leather over wood box measures 6 7/8"x 4 1/2" x 2 1/4" high.   The tools inside include: mother of pearl scissors, stiletto, bodkin and needlecase as well as a crystal scent bottle, a ribbon embroidered pincushion, a replacement gold thimble and two modern silkwinders made of balsa wood.  The winders are replacement, of course, but they look surprisingly  good in the box.  The box is silk and velvet lined.             

The box is fairly worn and the top does not close well.  The stiletto has just a bit of a bent tip and the bottle has a good size chip on the neck underneath the gilt top.  The scissors also have some damage where the handles meet the blades (visable in the third picture).  I would describe them as a bit fragile, but not broken.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         $1950.00            

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  #6537                         

Sewing Clamp - This clamp features an absolutely stunning embossed velvet pincushion on the top.  It shows a lyre surrounded by laurel leaves.  How very unusual!   The clamp is made of a dark wood and ivory.   It is quite beautiful.  The clamp measures 7 1/2" in length and also features a shield shaped finial on the bottom.          

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There are some problems to the condition of the lovely clamp.   The bottom of the clamp, just above the finial has been broken and repaired.   The crack is visible in the first picture.   And the pincushion has lost a bit of its stuffing, although I can only find one pin size hole in it.                                                    $145.00

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  #6562                         

Tortoise Needlecase - This stunning needlecase is made of tortoise shell inlaid with gold.   There are four bands of gold leaves trailing down the needle- case.  This is very elegant and one of the prettiest needlecases I have ever been able to offer.  I am constantly amazed by the sheer opulence of the sewing pieces made in the 19th century.  It measures 3 1/4" in length.       

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The condition of this lovely needlecase is very good.  It fits together tightly and there are no chips or cracks in the tortoise.   However, there are several of the tiny gold leaves missing.  This is a rare and lovely needlecase.                                                                                                                        $475.00

                                                                       #6453                                                                                  

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Tortoise Scent Casket  - This lovely scent casket holds two beautiful crystal bottles featuring wonderful enamel tops.   The casket itself is made of tortoise shell with brass edging and what I think is mother of pearl straps.  The interior of the casket is lined in silk and velvet and features a fitted opening for the two bottles.  It measures 3 1/2" x 2' x 2 3/4" high and sets on brass ball feet.                        

The tortoise is cracked in places and silk lining is a bit threadbare, but the bottles are in excellent condition with no cracks or chips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           $925.00            

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  #6569                         

Scissors Case - Probably originally part of a chate- laine, this elegant silver scissors case is hallmarked for 1873.  It also has an extra mark that shows the head of Queen Victoria, which indicates that this is a com- memorative piece.  I believe that would be to com- memorate her 35th year on the throne.  The case measures 4" in length.  

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The button closure works well and the hinge is strong, although just a tiny bit loose.    Scissors cases are fairly rare and quite hard to find, and this one is in good condition.                                                                                                                      $650.00

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#6488

Figural Thimble Case - Exceptionally clever, this die shaped thimble case is made of leather over wood.  It mea- sures 1 1/8" square and the inside is velvet lined.  It holds an inexpensive metal thimble that fits the case perfectly, but I have no way of knowing whether or not it is original.   The case is in good condition with a few scratches to the leather.                                 $235.00