Title
Needle case
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Dimension
Object size: 1.7 x 1.7 x 5.9 cm
Accession No.
2017-00245
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of the Lim Family in memory of Edna Chong Kim Neo
This case of needles was used to store needles used in nyonya needlework. The brand ‘Mitrailleuse’ is inscribed on the case.. Needles used for beadwork are nearly identical to those utilised in embroidery. Since needles are made of iron and vulnerable to rust in the region’s humidity, they were packed in silver foils in bundles of ten, before being placed into small, cylindrical metal containers. The original owner of these items made a living fashioning beaded slippers and dresses, working from home as she did not have a shop.
