Featured 1920s Antique Etui

Currently got this thing for sale online. I admit, it took me a while to figure out what the hell it even was! I knew it was a lady's thing, but even then...

What we got here is a 1920s (Scissors say 'STAINLESS'; stainless steel wasn't a thing until the 1910s) lady's 'etui' ("Et-wee"), or miniature accessories case.



Some etui could be EXTREMELY complex, with needle-cases, thimbles, thread-reels etc etc etc... This one is fairly simple...



Top to Bottom:

Button-hook. For gloves, boots, dresses etc.
Scissors. For thread. Or to trim fingernails.
Pocket-knife. Only one blade.
Bodkin. For threading ribbons/drawstrings/thread etc through loops/holes/corsets.
Crochet hook. For...Crocheting stuff.
Hole-punch/Awl. For punching holes/making buttonholes etc.



Handles are Mother-of-Pearl.

Case is red fuzzy velvet and satin.

Cute, whimsical little thing. Now I just gotta find a buyer...

 

Not to be critical, but a white or off white background would hurt my EYES SO MUCH LESS!!!!!!!! YIKES THEY DO CLASH!! However, your Etui looks to be very nice, and in great condition And it looks to be ALL there.....even better!!!

 

I'm no expert, but I would guess the crochet hook, because it is so small and short, was for making emergency repairs to lace garments.

 

Or stockings, more likely. They used to be knitted and of course like any knit could run or pull. Ladies would often repair them rather than toss them if possible.

 

Yes ma'am...yes ma'am...yes ma'am...sorry ma'am...

...iiiin other news...I did make that mat specifically for photographing antiques on...

 

OOOOOPS.........sorry if I came across THAT strong!!!!!

 

Nobody actually uses the word etui. Like oothecae or epee, it is just a vowel dump in scrabble.

 

LOL!! Probably is!

And no, Aquitane it wasn't honestly that bad. But I couldn't resist a post like that