Antique Gilded Figural Fish Etui-Sewing Set w/ Enamel Eyes * French * Circa 1870

Description

Antique Figural Fish
Etui-Sewing Set w/ Enamel Eyes
French * Circa 1870
This little antique necessaire is in the form of a fish. It's unusual because of the bright gilding and and he has enameled eyes. The interior is lined with burgundy velvet & silk and fitted to hold the sewing tools. The tools are all silver and are marked with
boar's head French silver hallmarks used for 800/1000 pure silver.
Included are a tiny pair of scissors, a needle case, a bodkin, a stiletto and a thimble. The thimble is in excellent condition with no holes or other damage and it's about an American size 7 (14.4 mm diameter opening)
The little scissors (2 1/4" long) have tight steel blades, intact points and cut well. The other tools are also in excellent condition with no dents or other damage.
The fish measures 3 7/8" long by 1 1/2" wide and snaps closed securely. It has a ring at the end so it can be worn as a pendant or attached to a chatelaine. It is in great condition with no dents and almost no rubbing to the gilding. One like this with the more usual finish and eyes is shown on p. 132 of
Nerylla Taunton's book
Antique Needlework Tools and Embroideries
.
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