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ID #SA1184051
FOR SALE
£225
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A Rare Early 19th Century Novelty Silver Needle Case
For sale by Jeff Sims Antiques
for sale €263     $286
£225
Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2010
Browse dealers 150 items
  • About Us
    Antique silver, glass, jewellery and object de vertu.
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Id #SA1184051
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A Rare Early 19th Century Novelty Silver Needle Case

18th century
Description

A lovely and rather rare novelty item of French silver sewing ware, dating from the early 19th Century. The case is fashioned to represent a key. The body is intricately patterned and has the unusual addition of including a cotton reel holder. The handle and body are linked by an attached chain which is suspended by a 'lyre' style clip. A wonderful collector's piece with a practical use.

There is a lovely dot engraving to the body, which reads A F L, S. Maery 1837. Dimensions below.

Postage and packing £10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£50.00 USA (including 10% tariff)

£24.00 Outside Europe

Condition :- Excellent, with no dents, losses or splits.

Date :- c1837.

Hallmarks :- Not present (not unusual for small early items). Tests as silver.

Maker :- J E Bushell.

Height :- 14 cms.

Width :- 9 cms.

Depth :- 1 cm.

Physical Dimensions
Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
9cm (3.54")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Declaration

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Antique Silver Needle Case to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1184051
Dealers Internal Reference
13187
Dealers Notes

Payment by BANK TRANSFER (preferred),DEBIT/CREDIT CARD, or PAYPAL. Great care is taken with packing and only 'signed for or tracked' postal options are used, where available. In the UK, Royal Mail Special Delivery is used, which is both fully insured against loss or damage and guaranteed next day (excluding weekends). If an item goes missing, or is damaged in the post, all available assistance will be offered to make a claim against the provider. Loss or damage in transit, is NOT the responsibility of the seller.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE. Due to the imposition by some countries of an import tariff - an additional charge may be required to prepay tax duty. Please be aware of this if purchasing from overseas. If this additional charge is not acceptable, please do not proceed with the purchase.

Returns are accepted if the item has undisclosed damage at point of sale, or has been seriously mis-described. Buyer pays all costs. If you are not certain that you will be completely happy with the item, please do not purchase it. Care has been taken to ensure that items are accurately described and photographed - if any further information is required please ask.

PLEASE CONTACT ME TO PROVIDE CARD DETAILS OR REQUEST BANK DETAILS. PLEASE ADD POSTAGE FOR PAYPAL AND PRESS PAYPAL OPTION. If there is anything more we can do to help, please ask. We would like your experience with us to be a happy one and will always try to be accommodating.

Thank you for your interest.

Description
A lovely and rather rare novelty item of French silver sewing ware, dating from the early 19th Century. The case is fashioned to represent a key. The body is intricately patterned and has the unusual addition of including a cotton reel holder. The handle and body are linked by an attached chain which is suspended by a 'lyre' style clip. A wonderful collector's piece with a practical use.
fig 1. An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip.
fig 1. A Rare Early 19th Century Novelty Silver Needle Case

There is a lovely dot engraving to the body, which reads A F L, S. Maery 1837. Dimensions below.

Postage and packing £10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£50.00 USA (including 10% tariff)

£24.00 Outside Europe

Condition :- Excellent, with no dents, losses or splits.

Date :- c1837.

Hallmarks :- Not present (not unusual for small early items). Tests as silver.

Maker :- J E Bushell.

Height :- 14 cms.

Width :- 9 cms.

Depth :- 1 cm.

Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
9cm (3.54")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Date of Manufacture

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Antique Silver Needle Case to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1184051
Dealers Internal Ref
13187
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2010

Antique silver, glass, jewellery and object de vertu.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Jeff Sims Antiques Profile Page

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An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip.
1 / 6
Archive I An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip.

A Rare Early 19th Century Novelty Silver Needle Case

Archive II An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip. View II
Archive III An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip. View III
Archive IV An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip. View IV
Archive V An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip. View V
Archive VI An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques
Telephone 07711 373 683
Location
Suffolk,
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified Since Jan 2010
Items For Sale 150
Items Sold 4,500
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk,, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified
Jan 2010
For Sale
150
Sold
4,500
An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip.
A Rare Early 19th Century Novelty Silver Needle Case
Ref: SA1184051
An early nineteenth-century silver needlecase crafted in the shape of an ornate key, attached by suspension chains to a lyre-form clip.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSewing Tools
  • Period18th century
  • StyleRegency
  • MaterialSilver, Cotton
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsKey form, Lyre motif, Chain suspension, Engraved decoration
  • SizeH 14 cm (6 in) x W 9 cm (4 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

This Georgian Regency novelty sewing tool dates from around 1837 and takes the form of an ornate silver key with intricate patterned relief mouldings, dot engravings, and an integrated cotton reel holder. A delicate suspension chain links the key to a lyre-form top clip, incorporating a miniature golden spool with brown thread and a small tassel. The polished silver surface has no dents, losses, or splits, and tests as silver with no hallmarks present. Measuring 14 cm high, 9 cm wide, and 1 cm deep, the piece sits neatly on a bookshelf as a compact decorative display item for collectors. The detailed miniature work makes the accessory a fascinating conversational display piece for a study shelf, collector's cabinet, or library display case. Visitors observe the tiny letters and date engraved along the barrel, the linked chainwork, and the contrasting colour of the golden cotton thread wound around the spool. The object functions as a historical sewing collectible that brings Victorian charm and detailed metalwork to an interior setting without taking up significant space.

FAQs

A novelty silver needle case is a specialized container crafted in an unconventional or decorative shape, such as a key or musical instrument, designed to safely store sewing needles while serving as a decorative accessory.

During the early nineteenth century, needle cases were commonly manufactured from sterling silver, silver-gilt, mother-of-pearl, ivory, bone, and brass, often featuring hand-engraved or chased surface decoration.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit period silver hallmarks or makers marks, evidence of hand-finishing, period-appropriate construction methods such as hand-drawn chains, and natural surface patination in recessed areas.

Small silver curiosities are best displayed beneath glass domes, mounted within shadow-box frames, or arranged on velvet-lined trays inside glass-fronted cabinets alongside related historical implements.

Silver needle cases should be gently dusted with a soft, lint-free cloth and occasionally wiped with a specialized silver polishing cloth, avoiding harsh liquid cleaners that can strip historical patination.
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