Sewing box
1850-1900
Place madeFrance, Europe
Wood, tortoise shell, brass, textile, mother-of-pearl, plastic, silver, metal, ivory
Container: 3 3/8 × 8 7/8 × 6 3/4 in. (8.6 × 22.5 × 17.1 cm)
Gift of Lucille de Luze Foley, 1941
INV.8234a-v
DescriptionRectangular wooden sewing box with rounded corners, flat (only slightly curved) hinged lid decorated with boullé work (inlaid marquetry of brass and tortoise shell, stained red), brass medallion with engraved decoration at very center, brass beading around edge of lid and bottom of box, and boulle work escutcheon; inside lid, blue silk gathered at center, fastened with medallion with colored picture of triumphal arch framed by brass edge and blue silk loops; tray covered in blue silk, divided into four compartments at edges and larger compartment at center, containing pair of scissors, needlebook with mother-of-pearl covers and blue felt pages holding 11 needles and 1 pin, mother-of-pearl holder for orange and green thread in the shape of square cross, molded plastic sewing implement in the shape of witch-like figure, mother-of-pearl bobbin and other spinnerette, plastic egg-shaped container, key, and metal thimble; under tray, metal spike wrapped in paper, ivory folding knife with several blades, one silver knife, four silver spoons of various sizes, one silver serving utensil, and one flat silver utensil.ClassificationsSEWING TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
