GORGEOUS 18 CT. GOLD NEEDLEWORK TOOL SET * DUTCH C1855 SEVEN ORIGINAL TOOLS IN A MAGNIFICENT CASE Start Price USD 250.00 Current Price USD 1,025.00 Time Left - Bid Count 22 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 27, 2008 End Time Sunday, December 07, 2008 Location Amsterdam See more about 'GORGEOUS 18 CT. GOLD NEEDLEWORK TOOL SET * DUTCH C1855 ' Description A gorgeous needlework tool set in its original shell case. There are seven tools: thimble, sheathed scissors, needle case, bodkin, stiletto and two snowflake silk winders. All tools are hallmarked with Dutch assay marks for gold. The tools are shaped in a baroque style: they are ornately decorated with scrolls, acanthus leaves, large flowers, lattice work and stripes and there are many small finials. The decorations are hand made and when you look closely, you see that two sides of one item have matching but different decorations in one style. The loops of the scissor handles have scrolls and small stripes, like the border and rim of the thimble. Some special points of interest: the stiletto is completely made of gold, even the point. Three items (the stiletto handle, the scissors sheath and the needle case) have a beautiful hexagonal shape. Most needlework tool sets have five tools, this one has seven tools: two fabulous snowflake winders. The tools are in mint condition. There is a scratch on one side of the needle case; that's all I could find. The steel scissors are without any rust on their blades, which are sharp and cut to the end of their tips. The condition of the thimble is mint as well. The hallmarks to be found on the tools are the assay mark of the lion, facing left, for items made of 18 ct. gold 1814-1905, except for the bodkin that has the hallmark of the oak leave for items made of 14 ct. gold 1853-1905. The weight of all tools is 24.4 gram (of course the steel blades of the scissors included). There are several makers marks that are too faint to decipher; the mark "14 P" is clearly visible on the stiletto. This is the mark of the silversmith. The case is 5 3/8" long, 3 5/8" wide and 3 1/4" high. It has trimmings and four ball feet made of natural material. The silk lining makes a wonderful contrast with the green velvet tray. This lifts out by two ribbons (replacements) to reveal a small silk lined storage room with green velvet posts for the tray. When you enlarge picture number four you can see the condition inside this antique case: it is excellently preserved, clean, without tears or damage. This goes also for the silk toolpad, bordered by a handsewn cord and a central cord "handle".  Outside there are two spots where the shell has got damage: at the right hand side on both corners. Otherwise there is no damage, there are no chips or cracks in the shell, no nibbling. The case opens and closes easily by its original  push button and hinges (small crack in trimming at right hinge). The bottom of the case is lined with red embossed paper where someone has written "25 maart 1875". "Maart" is Dutch for "March". So this case was a presented in 1875 but by then it was already some 20 years old; it was made about 1855. Similar cases are depicted in the book by Kay Sullivan, page 20-21. Colour plate 22, page 21 has a box with tools in a similar style; this goes especially for the winder and the scissors. Nerylla Taunton has a similar case on Colour Plate 149 of her book Antique Needlework tools. This is the first item I am listing today in a series of antique sewing items in Christmas colors. Place a Bid!