NEEDLE HOLDER

One end of a silver sheet tubular item, possibly a needle case or similar. The piece was originally tubular or oval in section formed of a rectangular piece of sheet rolled edge to edge and meeting in a seam down one side. The slightly convex faces suggest it was originally oval in section although it is now squashed flat. One end is incomplete with an irregular break. The other appears complete and has a slightly thinner, plain tubular piece of silver sheet fitted inside the first creating a step in thickness and width where they join. The seam has opened down the side of both tubes and there is no indication of how or if it was originally held closed.

The main piece is decorated with punched decoration. This is in two clear panels, one on each face, again suggesting it was oval rather than circular in section originally. The two panels have the same design. Just below the complete end is a double row of indented dots running across the piece. From this end row two double rows of dots run along the length of the piece, one to each side, creating borders. Parallel to these rows, between them and between the rows and the edges run closely spaced indented lines, again running down the length of the piece. In the central panel between the borders is a design pairs of lines of small dots cross from edge to edge at regular intervals. The lines are in an ogee of shallow S-shaped curve. In each of the the spaces between these pairs of cross lines are broader shallower indents with four indents in a quatrefoil flanked by lines running along the length.

On one side the panel appears to end in a curved double row of dots running across the width. The break in part follows the indents on this line. On the other side it has broken before this end, if it existed. In places on the panel are traces of the same closely spaced indented lines as on the borders.

Discussion: Possibly one end of a small ornamental case for holding a variety of articles from needles or toiletry implements (sometimes called an etui). In this case the small size suggests a needle case is most likely. The recessed end piece is common on such pieces where a tubular lid would fit tightly on the recessed end, held in place by friction. The narrowed end also reduces the number of needles that would spill out when the case was tipped.

The form of the decoration, in particular the closely spaced indented lines suggests a relatively late date, possibly 17th century or later.

Dora Thornton, (pers comm. 21.05.2012) commented that in her opinion this piece was old enough to be considered as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.