Antique Sewing Necessaire with Mother of Pearl Tools c.1890–1910

Regular price: £135.00
Sale price: £135.00
Regular price

A beautiful late 19th to early 20th century sewing necessaire, presented in an octagonal case covered in rich olive-green velvet with a fitted interior of velvet, ribbon and finely ruched pale blue/green silk.

The lower section retains an assortment of period sewing implements held beneath individual velvet loops, including several mother-of-pearl handled tools, steel implements and an engraved metal thimble. The inside of the lid is particularly decorative, with ruched silk panels framing a central velvet section finished with ribbon bows.

Two John James & Sons of Redditch needle packets are also held beneath the original-style ribbons. These include a “Transparent Wrapper 4/8” packet and an “Egg Eyed Sharps 6/0 – Patented 1884” packet. The needle packets are included with the set, although we cannot confirm that they have always belonged to the necessaire and have therefore not used them to date the case itself.

The mother-of-pearl handles have a lovely soft iridescence and contrast beautifully with the deep chartreuse velvet. Together with the decorative silk lining, surviving sewing tools and period needle packets, the set has wonderful period character.

A very attractive survivor for a collection of antique haberdashery, sewing implements or late Victorian and Edwardian needlework accessories.

Product variants

Condition

A lovely antique example in good overall condition, retaining a particularly attractive and well-presented fitted interior. The olive-green velvet retains strong colour and the pale green ruched silk, decorative ribbon bows and velvet fittings remain largely intact. The clasp and hinges remain present and the case displays beautifully when open.

The mother-of-pearl handled sewing implements have a beautiful natural lustre, with only light signs of age and use. The metal tools and engraved thimble have developed an attractive aged patina. The two John James & Sons needle packets are also well preserved for their age, with one retaining a selection of needles.

There is some expected age-related rubbing and wear to the velvet, particularly around the outer edges of the case, together with some fading and minor fraying to the ribbon trim. The case contains a good selection of period sewing implements, although we cannot confirm that every tool is original to the set or that the contents are complete.

Late 19th / early 20th century, circa 1890–1910