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#6838

Madras Work Knotting Shut- tle -  Carved of bone, this won- derful knotting shuttle measures 4" in length.  Madras work which is sometimes referred to as "hot needle decoration" is circa 1820.   The condition of this rare shuttle is very good.   It is solid and tight and there are no knicks or chips in the bone.                                                                                                                                                                                                      SOLD

                                                                       #6846                                                                                  

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Baxter Print "Regal Needle Boxes" Set -  Until George Baxter invented the process of color printing, all black and white printing had to be colored by hand.  By 1834, he was using up to 12 wood blocks for different colors during the printing process, creating vibrant color printing.   By 1840, needles were being sold in packets and in 1850 George Baxter produced his first set of needle boxes with beautiful color prints on the top.   The set was called  "Regal Needle Boxes".   Baxter needle boxes are discussed extensively in the Nerylla Taunton's wonderful book entitled Antique Needlework Tools & Embroideries.   (see pages 145 - 151).

This incredibly rare boxed set of twelve needle boxes features its original presentation box with a Baxter print of Prince Albert pictured on the front.    The twelve boxes inside feature prints of Victoria and Albert as well as several of their residences and Victoria's coronation.  In discussing rarity,  it must be mentioned that the chances of a cardboard box surviving for well over 150 years are absolutely miniscule.   We do occasionally find a box or two, usually in poor condition.  But there simply cannot be very many of these complete sets left in existence.  I certainly have never seen one before.    George Baxter went on to produce ten more sets of needle boxes after the Regal set producing the last one in 1859, but the fact that this one is the very first set he produced makes it even more rare.  The box measures 6 1/8" x 4 1/8" x 1/2".

The condition of the set is amazingly good.  The twelve boxes inside are in excellent condition.  None of them are even dented.   The presentation box is showing some wear.  There are a two mars in the front print of Prince Albert as the picture shows.  The spine is a bit weakened, but still well attached.  Whatever was on the back of the box is no longer there.  I don't know if it would have been another Baxter print or if it would have been plain paper. But whatever was there is gone as the back is plain cardboard.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           $1250.00                

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  #6827                         

Agate Chatelaine - Featuring three stunning pieces of agate, this unusual chatelaine is made of ornate brass.   It measures 10" in length and has three chains.  Even the chains are decorative.  The pieces include a thimble bucket holding a brass thimble, an aide de memoire with two ivory pages and a scissors sheath holding a later pair of steel scissors.   The buckle features a typical over the waist type of clasp.  Each of the three pieces of agate  are showing a bea- utiful range of color.   The top two corners of the buckle feature an especially pretty folded over edge.   

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While the scissors are not original, they do look rea- sonably  good with the chatelaine.   The thimble fits the bucket perfectly, but I do not know if it is original to the chatelaine.   It is probably not original. 

The chatelaine is in very good condition.  The chains are well attached, the buckle and waist clasp are solid and the three brass pieces are obviously original to the chatelaine.   It is both unusual and lovely.                                                                                                                                              $975.00

                                                                       #6817                                                                                  

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Palais Royal Necessaire  - Measuring 7 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" high, this box is exceptionally pretty.  It has a beautiful shape and some lovely brass ornamentation.   In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the finest needlework tools in the world were being made in Paris in the palais royal district.   Louis Phillipe turned a section of the royal palace into a shopping arcade where only the finest artisans were allowed to set up shop.   This lovely necessaire was made there.  

The fitted velvet tray holds the following:  mother of pearl handled scissors, needlecase with an enameled pansy that is the signature of the palais royal, thimble, stiletto and two silk winders as well as a delicate cut crystal scent bottle and an embroidered and spangled pincushion.   The set is missing its bodkin.  The mirror retains its original chenille edging and the bottom of the box is lined in silk.        

The box has three small chips in the veneer (on the ends) but is otherwise in very good condition.   The thimble is missing its enamelled pansy but is also in very good condition.   One of the silkwinders has had one lobe reattached (see top winder, top lobe in the third picture) and the winders are not original to the box.  They are just a tiny bit too large.   The needlecase fits a bit loosely but that is pretty minor.   Overall, the set is in good condition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           $2295.00               

                                                                       #6107                                                                                  

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Mother of Pearl Etui - This lovely etui is made of gilt and mother of pearl with beautiful and ornate gilt medallians on both sides.   It is circa 1780 - 1800.  The tools inside the etui are original and include:  gilt scissors, pencil case, stiletto/earspoon, snuff spoon and penknife as well as an ivory aide memoire.  It is fairly rare to find an etui made of mother of pearl and this one is quite beautiful.  

The tools inside the etui are in excellent condition.  The case has however, suffered a bit of damage.  As is visable in the third picture, a piece of mother of pearl is missing on the back of the top of the etui.  The mother of pearl is also missing from the bottom and the top of the etui but surprisingly, none of these three areas are actually very noticable. So, they don't seem to detract very much from the beauty of the piece.  

When I purchased the etui the top was detached from the bottom of the etui.  It was a fairly simple hinge repair so I had the repair done by an expert restorer.   The repair is barely visable. Again, see the third picture.   The problem with the repair is that the top will no longer close over the tools.  The first picture shows the extent that the case will now close.   In spite of the condition problems, this is still a lovely and rare antique of extreme age which displays beautifully.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         $1825.00           

                                                                       #6809                                                                                  

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Tortoise Necessaire  - This stunning tortoise shell box measures 7" x 4 1/2" x 2" high and sits on four bun feet.  The deep green velvet fitted tray holds an exquisite set of 18kt. gold sewing tools.   The tools are all original and the term "high quality" doesn't begin to describe the incredible beauty of this set.  The sewing tools include: scissors in an ornate sheath, stiletto, bodkin, needlecase and a two color gold thimble, as well as two of the most unique and wonderful silkwinders I have ever seen.   Be sure to click on the enlargement of the third picture to get a good close look as these wonderful sewing tools. 

Under the fitted tray there is a music movement which plays two different melodys.   While I believe the music movement is a replacement, I do think it has a fair amount of age on it.   I can e-mail a picture of the music movement if you would like to see it.  The tools are in excellent condition with only a bit of tarnish on the steel blades of the scissors.  The tortoise box is showing some darkening on the top and is is slightly seperated from the lid at the back right corner.   Re-gluing that corner should not be a problem.  The key to the box is missing, but we do have the key for the music movement.                                                                                                                                                                                                         SOLD            

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  #6778                         

Avery Figural Needlecase - In the third quarter of the 19th century, a very creative needle manufacturer by the name of William Avery began to make many delightful figural brass needlcases in which to sell his needle packets.  They have been called  "re-crea- tions in miniature, of the Victorian world".   And of course, they were tremendously popular with the Victorians just as they are highly prized today.      

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This very rare avery is called " The Bombe" and it is pictured in Fig. 60 of the wonderful book entitled Victorian Brass Needlecases by Estelle Horowitz and Ruth Mann.   The needlecase opens and shuts by turning the bottom of the needlecase. It is signed on the bottom with "Registered June 28th, 1872  W. Avery & Son Redditch".   There are a couple of very minor dents in the top of the needlecase but it is otherwise in very good condition.                                                                                       $565.00

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  #6770                         

Ivory Stiletto - This beautiful stiletto is ornately carved in patterns of swirls and foliage.  The carving is exceptionally high in quality.  The blade unscrews and stores inside the handle when not in use.  It measures 4 1/4" in length when fully extended and 3 3/8" when closed.         

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The blade screws in tightly when in the open position, but when it is turned inside the handle, it does not screw in.  The threads seem to be stripped.   There is a tiny chip in the tip of the blade but it is almost im- possible to discern.                                                                                                                                                                                             $210.00