Magnification tools
Classification:
Date:
1800-1875
Medium:
Bone, glass, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 7/8 x 1 1/4 in. ( 4.8 x 3.2 cm )
Description:
Tubular bone case that unscrews into 6 pieces with distorting and magnifying lenses.
Object Number:
Z.3131a-h
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1875
eMuseum Object ID:
37110
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Knitting needles
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1850-1900
Medium:
Ivory, wood
Dimensions:
Overall (a): 10 in. × 3/8 in. (25.4 × 1 cm)
Each (b and c): 12 1/8 in. × 1/2 in. (30.8 × 1.3 cm)
Overall (d): 15 i
Description:
Collection of eight knitting needles of varying sizes; a-c are ivory; d-h are wood.
Object Number:
INV.7912a-h
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1900
eMuseum Object ID:
36708
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Fid
Classification:
Date:
1800-1900
Medium:
Bone
Dimensions:
Overall: 10 7/8 x 1 3/8 in. ( 27.6 x 3.5 cm )
Description:
Turned whale jaw bone with a long cone and two ball shaped sections, each banded at midpoint.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Fanny Shapiro
Object Number:
1943.218
Gallery Label:
This fid is used to make grommets (fasteners). Comments of scrimshaw expert Stuart M. Frank, Senior Curator, New Bedford Whaling Museum, January 2013: Carved from a whale’s jaw bone, fids were universal tools at sea, which makes them difficult to date. As tools, Fids made from jawbone were desired for their strength and the perceived ability to self-lubricate from oils stored within the bone.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1900
eMuseum Object ID:
36529
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Needle case
Classification:
Date:
1800-1880
Medium:
Ivory
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 3/4 x 3/4 in. ( 9.5 x 1.9 cm )
Description:
Turned and pierced needle case with removable finials at top and bottom.
Object Number:
INV.7605ab
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1880
eMuseum Object ID:
36419
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Needle case
Classification:
Date:
1820-1880
Medium:
Vegetable ivory
Dimensions:
Overall: 2 5/8 x 1 1/8 in. ( 6.7 x 2.9 cm )
Description:
Circular turned needle case in the form of a pawn chess piece; head of pawn unscrews.
Object Number:
Z.2321ab
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1880
eMuseum Object ID:
36382
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Buttons (pair)
Classification:
Date:
1850-1900
Medium:
Metal, plastic
Dimensions:
overall (each): 5/8 x 1 x 7/8 in. ( 1.6 x 2.5 x 2.2 cm )
Description:
Pair of plastic circular buttons with metal decorations, shank on reverse with holes to sew buttons; each button has a cylindrical bar across the center, with metal bands at the ends and at the center, end bands are ribbed, center band has rinceau design in sprials, 3 metal studs around outer edge on either side of bar.
Object Number:
INV.4961ab
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1900
eMuseum Object ID:
35918
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Thimble
Classification:
Date:
1825-1875
Medium:
Metal, gilt
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 x 5/8 in. ( 2.5 x 1.6 cm )
Description:
Gilded metal thimble with needle indentations at top two-thirds, bottom third has a band of floral garland which meets at the monogram "CRF"; bottom edge has molded rinceau design.
Object Number:
INV.769i
Marks:
Inscription: engraved at bottom: "CRF" ; stamped to left of monogram medalion "6"
Provenance:
This thimble is from the Francis family of New York.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1875
eMuseum Object ID:
35869
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Sewing guard
Classification:
Date:
1775-1850
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 x 5/8 x 1/2 in. ( 2.9 x 1.6 x 1.3 cm )
Description:
Silver sewing finger guard with horizontal ribbed pattern throughout guard and band; guard is oval shaped.
Credit Line:
Gift of Miss Dorothy Ritterband, 1946
Object Number:
Z.2136
Marks:
stamped: top: "7"
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1850
eMuseum Object ID:
35338
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Bodkin
Classification:
Date:
1840-1880
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 1/8 x 1/4 x 2 7/8 in. ( 0.3 x 0.6 x 7.3 cm )
Description:
Metal bodkin with circular hole at the head, vertical hole near the center, pointed at end opposite the head.
Credit Line:
Gift of Goodhue Livingston, 1951
Object Number:
INV.12686.4
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1880
eMuseum Object ID:
35283
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Buttons
Classification:
Date:
1800-1900
Medium:
Metal, glass
Dimensions:
overall (each): 7/8 x 3/4 in. ( 2.2 x 1.9 cm )
Description:
Set of 6 glass buttons with faceted obverse, loop shank on reverse (missing on 2).
Object Number:
INV.12391a-f
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1900
eMuseum Object ID:
35260
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
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