This homework is getting more difficult - aren't we allowed half-term?
1. Ivory thread holder
2. A dress lifter - small tongs for a lady to lift her hem when crossing muddy kerbs - normally kept on a little chain (as opposed a shirt-lifter which we were always warned about at cubs)
A stitch in time, Rog? Told you it was a sew and sew! All perfectly correct as befits the head-boy ~ but requires more effort to complete the test. 1. I liked the tiny slots to catch the ends of the threads. 2. Never been too happy about the term 'shirt-lifter' always thought it was a little queer. 3. Also widely known as tussie-mussies ~ can't imagine where that came from! Cheers Rog.
4. Quite so, Mike. 5. Surprisingly Mike this delightfully enameled gold case is a billet-doux for passing amorous messages to a suitor whose reply would be returned in same to an arranged 'secret' pick-up point or direct to the lady (via the butler) if said suitor had gained the family's approval. Commonly a billet-doux was the letter itself. 9, 13 & 14.well done. You probably noted the curved block inserted into the base, which would have been heated on the fire and transferred to the device much the same as some early smoothing irons.
7. is a carved bone manual thread-winder. 8. is a cased agate holder with a selectionof gilt crochet and crewel hooks. 10. is a silver holder for a spool of thread. 11. is a darning mushroom. 12. are dispatch-cases for manuscript scrolls, jestingly referred to as billet-doux in some military usages.
This homework is getting more difficult - aren't we allowed half-term?
ReplyDelete1. Ivory thread holder
2. A dress lifter - small tongs for a lady to lift her hem when crossing muddy kerbs - normally kept on a little chain (as opposed a shirt-lifter which we were always warned about at cubs)
15. Embroidery Holder - late 17th early 18th C
3. Posie holder
6 Button Hole Cutter - looks american (late 18C?)
I'm off to take up a few hems....
A stitch in time, Rog? Told you it was a sew and sew!
DeleteAll perfectly correct as befits the head-boy ~ but requires more effort to complete the test.
1. I liked the tiny slots to catch the ends of the threads.
2. Never been too happy about the term 'shirt-lifter' always thought it was a little queer.
3. Also widely known as tussie-mussies ~ can't imagine where that came from! Cheers Rog.
(4) Rather daring pair of folding scissors.
ReplyDelete(5) Finely enamelled etui.
(9) Tatting set in a mother o' pearl shell.
(13) Unusual crimping iron for crimping linen.
(14) Glass 'slicker' for smoothing linen.
4. Quite so, Mike.
Delete5. Surprisingly Mike this delightfully enameled gold case is a billet-doux for passing amorous messages to a suitor whose reply would be returned in same to an arranged 'secret' pick-up point or direct to the lady (via the butler) if said suitor had gained the family's approval. Commonly a billet-doux was the letter itself. 9, 13 & 14.well done. You probably noted the curved block inserted into the base, which would have been heated on the fire and transferred to the device much the same as some early smoothing irons.
(15) Treen tambour for holding embroidery work.
ReplyDelete(16) Box for making braids, possibly Scandinavian, probably German., early 19th century.
Yes Mike, 16 is also known as a ribbon-loom.
Delete7. is a carved bone manual thread-winder.
ReplyDelete8. is a cased agate holder with a selectionof gilt crochet and crewel hooks.
10. is a silver holder for a spool of thread.
11. is a darning mushroom.
12. are dispatch-cases for manuscript scrolls, jestingly referred to as billet-doux in some military usages.