Egg shaped needle case

case

SEWING & NEEDLEWORK EQUIPMENT
Panama, Colon, Provincia de
wood; metal (needles)
overall: 3 x 1-7/8 x 1-7/8 in.

Case; Egg shaped needle case; from the collection of Captain Richard C. Mears (1829-1899); needle case, made of wood and shaped like an egg; case in two parts (top and bottom); printed on top portion "HUEVO DE COLON" on one side and "No. 87656." on the other; printed on one side of bottom portion, around an image of a ship (assumed to be the Santa Maria) "AGUJAS FINAS/ SANTA MARIA", with "DEPONIRT." printed on either side of the image; printed on opposite side, around an image of men carrying a flag "AGUJAS FINAS/ COLON/ PRODUCTO ALLEMAD." with "DEPONIRT" printed on either side of image; the phrase "AGUJAS FINAS" translates from Spanish to mean "Fine Needles"; when top is removed, bottom portion of the egg has a cylindrical center compartment which can be extended outward; printed on this center compartment is "Poner la flecha delante del numero que se precise.", and printed around top edge of the compartment are small arrows, with descriptions corresponding to each; these descriptions are "Cerrado", "5"; "6", "7", "8", and "9", while a smaller top section which is able to turn to each description; small top section has an arrow printed on side to show which description it has been turned to, and on the top of this section is a small hole that allows the needles stored in this compartment to be removed; in these compartments (which are divided by needle's number which corresponds to the size), there are 2 size 5 needles (1-1/5" in length), 10 size 6 needles (1-3/8" in length); 10 size 7 needles (almost 1-1/2" in length, and just slightly shorter and thinner than the size 5 needles), 7 size 8 needles (1-1/4" in length), and 9 size 9 needles (1-1/8" in length); each needle has a gold-tipped eye.

2005.34.437