[Victorian Accordion Needle Case]. Beatrice ‘Avery’ Case.
Redditch, Henry Milward & Sons, c.1867-1897
£ 250
Small needle case (closed 47 x 26mm, open 47 x 195mm) in brass, unfolding in an accordion style with six panels. The front and back panels embossed with a central floral design over a basket-weave textured background, the four needle sleeve panels with delicate arabesques and numbered 7 through 10 according to which size needle should be stored in it, two smaller panels to cover the top and bottom engraved ‘Patent’ and ‘Beatrice’. In a red leather case. In excellent condition.
Highly ornate sewing needle cases became a popular commodity in the late 19th century, being produced by a small number of companies predominantly in Redditch, Worcestershire. The earliest firm to produce these was W. Avery & Son, which lent its name to these ‘Avery’ type needle cases. Other sewing needle manufacturers created their own versions, with Henry Milward & Sons, also from Redditch, registering the patent to this six-fold accordion Beatrice case on 4 March 1867, one of the earliest examples. The case is presumed to be named after Princess Beatrice (1857-1944), the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.