"Etuis" or "necessaires" were small cases specially designed for the safe carrying of needlework tools outside the home. Being so much smaller than work boxes or sewing tables, they contained only the essentials - usually a pair of scissors and a thimble, and sometimes a needlecase or a bodkin or a stiletto. Originally manufactured in France (as indicated by the name) they were popular gifts and souvenirs for travellers.
The most common type of etui was a flat box in a variety of shapes and made from materials including wood, leather, mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell. Another popular design in the second half of the nineteenth century was a cube-shaped box (usually in tooled leather) containing scissors, a needlecase and a thimble and a few other small accessories. This was called a "Lady's Companion", and was often shaped like a small book, with the name embossed on the spine.
20294, exterior and Rachel label
This etui measures just 8.5 x 4cm, and was donated in 1945 by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth. It is made from solid ivory with gilt hinges and has recesses in the bottom half and in the lid to house a tiny pair of gilt scissors and a matching thimble. It is typical of those made from 1840 onwards. Although this style of etui was manufactured in England as well, the decoration on the scissors would suggest that this one is possibly French.
Both the scissors and thimble have obviously been well used, as the gilt is very worn in places and one of the tips of the scissors has broken off.
20294, scissors
The exterior of the etui is very smooth and highly polished with an ivory push-button fastening. Being small and neat and taking up very little space, it would have been slipped into an embroidery work-bag and carried by the owner when out visiting.
This ivory etui is quite an early design, as acknowledged by the label. And as Rachel was not born until 1886, it is most likely that it had belonged to someone else before her. It may have been given to her by an older relative or friend, or she might simply have found it in an antique shop...
Rachel with her embroidery frame. Note one of the hangings from the Huntroyde bed is on the right. (GTC Archives)
In the photograph above , you can see that there is a fabric case next to Rachel, together with her scissors and the case for her thimble - a protective case was needed for this as it was inlaid with turquoises. Fabric cases like these were known as "hussifs", and they were often homemade as personal gifts. They folded or rolled up and had several internal stitched pockets and loops and typically contained a pair of scissors, together with needles, pins and threads.
Rachel always carried her needlework tools with her, as she liked to be able to work on her projects at every opportunity. She recorded that the Huntroyde bedspread, pelmet and hangings had been completed in "largely odd minutes and some midnight oil".
Spent the morning putting away some of the many items that have had to come off display in preparation for the building work on the Hall, amongst them some lovely needlework tools and a selection of books filled with crochet and knitting samples and patterns.
