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Etui 2010-111
Etui or Necessaire with Implements
Etui 2010-111

Etui or Necessaire with Implements

Dateca. 1752
OriginAmerica (possibly) or England (probably)
MediumSilver, steel, ivory, wood
Dimensions1) Case: OL: 3 5/8"; OW: 1 13/16" 2a & b) Large handle with removable end: 3" 3) Small handle: 2 1/4" 4) Fork: 2 3/4" 5) Knife blade: 2 3/8" 6) Scissors: 3 1/4" 7) Tweezers: 1 5/16" 8) Ear scoop: 2 1/2" 9) Bodkin/Awl: 3" 10) Flat blade: 1 11/16" 11) Folded ruler: 3 1/16"; open 6" 12) Compass: 3 1/16" 13) Screw/Gimlet: 1 1/2 14a & b) Pencil with removable tip: 3 1/8" 15) Ivory tablet: 2 1/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2010-111,1-15
DescriptionSilver rectangular case, with hinged lid and button clasp; interior divided into compartments, with wooden insert and silver cap. With large and small handles into which screw fork and knife blade; scissors; tweezers; ear scoop; bodkin / awl; flat blade; folded ruler; compass; screw / gimlet; pencil with removable tip; ivory tablet.

The object is an etui composed of a silver alloy case with a wooden insert that has 12 stamped openings to accept tools composed of 16 parts. The top of the wood insert is covered with a silver alloy cap with identical shaped openings. The cap appears to have been adhered in place. The iron alloy clasp is held in place by a wood insert and silver cap. The clasp has a polished iron ally end that works with an attached piece of metal inside the lid of the case to hold the lid closed. A circular silver alloy button on the clasp slots through a hole in the case and is pushed to release the pressure fit of the clasp. Pushing the button caused the clasp to put pressure on the wood insert. Many of the tools have a bulls-eye shape that unifies their design, except for the ruler which has a flower design at its hinge. The tools are composed of silver alloy, iron alloy, and a material resembling elephant ivory.

Label TextAn etui was a small, often ornamental, case to hold tools such as a pencil, ruler, compass, tweezers, scissors, and sewing bodkin. They were made for both men and women. This etui, engraved with the name E. JERVIS and the date 1752, has a large assortment of implements.
InscribedEngraved "E. IERVIS 1752" on bottom of case
ProvenanceJervis family,
Gilman family, Bruswick Maine