Antique Victorian Beaded Butterfly Needle Book / Pincushion with Turned Wooden Body

A particularly decorative late Victorian needle book in the form of a butterfly, with richly worked beaded wings arranged around a solid turned wooden body. The wings are worked in coloured thread and small glass and metal beads, with dark blue edging and a patterned floral design. The central wooden body is finely turned with repeated ring decoration and contrasting striped inlay-style detailing.

The reverse opens to reveal multiple black fabric needle leaves, several still holding assorted pins and needles. The turned wooden centre is solid and acts as the decorative and structural body of the butterfly.

There is age-related wear to the textiles and beadwork, including some losses, fraying and wear to the black needle leaves, but the piece retains a strong decorative appearance and plenty of original character.