Set of tatting tools, nickel silver plated steel, has four pieces. Each piece has in common the shaped and decorated portions, the handles of the three tools and the needle case body. This feature is a flattened octagonal shape in cross-section, with successive divots ground out with a round grinding wheel. Handles and case all taper along their length.
A. Needle case is 2.75" long and .375" wide. At the heavier end of case is a fitted cap that slides onto a smaller male extension protruding from main body. Seam visible along sides where both halves of case have been joined.
B. Hook on handle is 4" long and .25" wide. Tapers from handle end down to where shaft is attached. Shaft has ball-and-ring at handle, a slight swell along length and a minute hook at tip.
C. Awl is 3.625" long and .25" wide. Same handle as above. Shaft is similar in shape except heavier and shorter and has a sharp tip.
D. Threading tool(?) is 3" long and .5" long. Same handle as above. Shaft is shorter and has a large open loop in a teardrop shape.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Cast silver wax holder in shape of a small walnut. Identical halves of nut are attached at one end and partially open at the other. Interior is filled with beeswax for drawing thread through, and multiple score marks are evident in wax. Hanging ring at fixed end.
