- Groups needlework tools into historic periods
- Relates them to the social scene and the styles of embroidery fashionable at that time
- Answers many questions posed by collectors of antique needlework tools
- Indispensable reference on the subject
This is a comprehensive study of needlework tools from the seventeenth century to the Edwardian era.
The book starts with the heavy silver needlework tools of the seventeenth century which are related to the raised and padded embroidery of that era now known as stumpwork. The more delicate embroidery tools of the Georgian era are grouped together with fine embroideries. Illustrations of Georgian sewing boxes and sewing sets show the wonderful varieties available to collectors.
Palais Royal sewing boxes and their superb mother-of-pearl contents, considered by collectors to be the ultimate sewing box, are illustrated as are the glorious carved ivory needlework tools that originated from the Dieppe region of France. The Victorian lady chose her sewing box, work table or sewing set from the extensive range available of which illustrated examples include tortoiseshell, papier mâché, Tunbridge ware and Mauchline ware. This was also the era of the sewing circle and hand-made needlework tools were created in abundant numbers, many surviving for today's collectors' market.
During her life, Nerylla Taunton, initially a collector, came to be acknowledged as a world class dealer with expertise in the field of antique needlework implements, ladies' fashion accessories, lace and embroidery. She ran a successful antiques business in Sydney, Australia and for many years had written and lectured throughout the world. She was guest lecturer for conventions held by Dorset Thimble Society in England and Thimble Collectors International in the USA, as well as the Australian Needlework Tools Collectors' Society in her own country. She was a regular contributor to various specialist journals.
