A pocket sized case in use in the 18th and 19th century, usually with a hinged lid, made to store household and personal items such as sewing implements, perfume and writing sets. They were mostly made of silver, ivory, bone, hardstone, gold or enamel.and the interior is usually moulded with individual slots to accommodate each item. Their purpose was similar to a necessaire. A necessaire was designed to sit on a dressing table, and so is usually larger than an etui which was designed to be portable.

Collecting sewing implements and accessories can be a fascinating hobby that allows one to explore the history of sewing and the evolution of sewing tools and techniques. The collection can range from antique sewing machines and vintage scissors to thimbles and pin cushions.

One of the most popular sewing implements collected is the sewing machine, which has a long history dating back to the early 19th century. Antique sewing machines are highly prized by collectors and can be found in a variety of styles and designs, ranging from simple hand-cranked models to ornate Victorian machines.

Other popular items include more...

39 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A fine Chelsea gold anchor period porcelain gilt and white…

Chelsea gold anchor porcelain etui case, English circa 1760/5

A fine Chelsea gold anchor period porcelain gilt and white glazed etui case, English circa 1760/5, 11 cm long 2 cm diameter. Provenance: Stockspring Antiques London 1989

Rare 19th century ivory & gilt metal egg shaped etui, with…

19th Century Ivory & Gilt Metal Egg Shaped Etui Set

Rare 19th century ivory & gilt metal egg shaped etui, with eight accoutrements including a cranberry glass scent bottle, scissors, thimble, ivory notepad, etc (split to lid)

Early 19th century French 14ct gold etui, tested 14ct, stamped…

French 14ct Gold Etui with Neoclassical Design, 19th Century

Early 19th century French 14ct gold etui, tested 14ct, stamped with oak leaf guarantee import mark to rim, of elongated rectangular form with chamfered corners, of neoclassical design in yellow and green gold, with octagonal shaped wax seal reserve to…

An antique French porcelain and enamel figural etui sewing case,…

18th Century French Porcelain Sewing Case with Enamel Figurines

An antique French porcelain and enamel figural etui sewing case, emblazoned 'Gage de Mon Amour' (token of My love), with two original blued steel and gold finished needles, 18th century, 9.5 cm high

Victorian agate lidded etui, early 19th century brass and agate…

Antique Victorian Brass and Agate Etui with Hinged Lid

Victorian agate lidded etui, early 19th century brass and agate etui with hinged lid and sectional compartment interior to hang from a chatelaine

Early Victorian silver and agate etui, beautiful embossed…

Victorian Silver and Agate Etui with Britannia Unicorn Design

Early Victorian silver and agate etui, beautiful embossed silver with floral and scroll decorated with inset agate and central Britannia unicorn

A George II gold mounted agate etui, late 18th century, of…

George II Gold Mounted Agate Etui, Late 18th Century

A George II gold mounted agate etui, late 18th century, of cylindrical form, agate cased with an 18ct gold cage setting decorated with floral swags and columns, the base revealing a small hinged compartment, 10.5 cm high, 1.5 cm wide

A 19th century mauve agate etui, the tapered case with red…

19th Century Mauve Agate Etui with Gilt Metal Frame

A 19th century mauve agate etui, the tapered case with red veined highlights, gilt metal framed case, fully fitted with rule, scissors, wax collector, spoon etc. Push button release, height 8.6 cm.

Three antique miniature etui utensils, 19th century, the…

Antique Miniature Etui Utensils (19th Century)

Three antique miniature etui utensils, 19th century, the largest 4 cm long

A 19th century tortoiseshell etui, with silver pique inlaid…

19th Century Tortoiseshell Etui with Silver Inlay

A 19th century tortoiseshell etui, with silver pique inlaid designs to the sides and a shield to the hinged lid. Hinge slightly faulted and some tools absent. Provenance: Private Auckland Collection. See lot 181.

A French silver gilt etui in a mother of pearl and brass inlaid…

French Silver Gilt Etui in Ebony Case, 19th Century

A French silver gilt etui in a mother of pearl and brass inlaid ebony case, 19th century, 12 cm long

A French 19th century gold and agate etui, the hinged top with…

French 19th Century Gold and Agate Etui

A French 19th century gold and agate etui, the hinged top with applied frieze depicting a reclining putti nestled amongst foliate border, opening to reveal a collection of small implements, the shaped mottled cream and brown agate body with applied…

A Victorian etui, the gilded metal exterior profusely embossed…

Gilded Victorian Etui with Classical Embossing and Accessories

A Victorian etui, the gilded metal exterior profusely embossed with classical scenes, the interior with various accessories, suspended from a conforming large hinged hook.

19th century European silver etui, floral scroll embossed, the…

Floral Embossed Silver Etui with Nine Implements

19th century European silver etui, floral scroll embossed, the hinged lid revealing fitted interior with nine implements, including knives, scissors etc

19th century European gilt metal etui, the case all bright cut,…

Gilt metal etui with nine tools

19th century European gilt metal etui, the case all bright cut, the hinged lid revealing interior fitted with nine tools including drawing and knife implements

19th century European silver gilt etui, applied with four blood…

Silver gilt etui with blood stone panels and nine implements

19th century European silver gilt etui, applied with four blood stone panels, all bright cut decorations, the hinged lid revealing fitted interior with nine implements

A Continental porcelain etui, decorated with biblical figures,…

Biblical Etui with Gilt Accessories

A Continental porcelain etui, decorated with biblical figures, lid restored, opening to reveal an interior fitted with gilt washed scissors, knife, bodkin, etc.

A Victorian etui, the Moroccan leather case printed with a…

Victorian Swiss Chalet Etui with Sewing Accessories

A Victorian etui, the Moroccan leather case printed with a Swiss chalet and mountain scene, the interior velvet lined and containing sewing accessories, mirror to interior of lid. 13.5 cm x 10 cm x 2 cm

A William IV silver etui case, machine decoration to the…

William IV Silver Etui Case, Birmingham 1830

A William IV silver etui case, machine decoration to the exterior. Birmingham 1830, maker I.T.

George III sterling silver etui machine turned engraving,…

George III Sterling Silver Etui with Machine Turned Engraving

George III sterling silver etui machine turned engraving, raised scrolling bands, the top engraved Mr Byles Spitalfields and with his initials to the front also, no interior fittings, marks worn

Antique silver etui, embossed decoration of figures in a garden,…

Embossed Antique Silver Etui with Garden Figures

Antique silver etui, embossed decoration of figures in a garden, lidded (pin required for hinge), no marks evident. Possibly circa 1800. Length 9.5 cm, weight 34grams

Fine Antique William IV tortoiseshell cased etui, with silver…

William IV Tortoiseshell Etui with Silver Filigree Sewing Handles

Fine Antique William IV tortoiseshell cased etui, with silver filigree sewing handles and steel ends. Approx 15 cm x 7 cm

A gold and gilt mounted and fitted bloodstone etui with rose…

18th Century French Bloodstone Etui with Diamond Clasp

A gold and gilt mounted and fitted bloodstone etui with rose cut diamond clasp, French, mid 18th century, containing folding knife, pencil, scissors, scoops and others, 11 cm high, Provance, Sotheby's Geneva, 16 November 1994, Lot 43

A leather embossed and gilt etui, French, 18th century, with…

18th Century French Gilt Leather Etui with Nobleman Cartouche

A leather embossed and gilt etui, French, 18th century, with central cartouche depicting a nobleman with putti verso, 10 cm high

A Georgian enamel etui, English, 18th century

18th Century Georgian Enamel Etui from England

A Georgian enamel etui, English, 18th century

A tortoise shell etui, 19th century. 11 cm high

19th Century Tortoise Shell Etui

A tortoise shell etui, 19th century. 11 cm high

An 18th century mocha agate pocket etui with ormolu mounts,…

18th Century French Mocha Agate Pocket Etui

An 18th century mocha agate pocket etui with ormolu mounts, French. 10 cm

A tortoise shell etui with gold initial badge on the lid and…

19th Century Tortoise Shell Etui with Gold Badge

A tortoise shell etui with gold initial badge on the lid and stamped gold hinges, late 19th century. 2.5 cm high, 15.5 cm wide, 9 cm deep

A Georgian agate gilt metal mounted etui, circa 1760, 11 cm high

Georgian Agate Etui with Gilt Metal Mounts

A Georgian agate gilt metal mounted etui, circa 1760, 11 cm high

An French ivory Palais Royal etui retailed through Asprey of…

French Ivory Asprey Etui, 19th Century

An French ivory Palais Royal etui retailed through Asprey of London, 19th century. 9 cm wide, 6 cm deep

A French ivory and silver gilt sewing etui, of oblong shape,…

French Ivory and Silver Sewing Etui with Bohr's Head Mark

A French ivory and silver gilt sewing etui, of oblong shape, the hinged cover opening to reveal hollowed compartments to accept scissors, thimble, stiletto, bodkin and needle case, each piece marked with boar's head indicating .800 fineness. 11 cm x 5.8 cm

A mocha agate etui, French, early 19th century. 9 cm long

French Mocha Agate Etui, Early 19th Century

A mocha agate etui, French, early 19th century. 9 cm long

Antique tortoiseshell clad etui case, with inlaid mother of…

Antique Tortoiseshell Etui with Mother of Pearl Inlay, 1834

Antique tortoiseshell clad etui case, with inlaid mother of pearl decoration & 1834 plaque on reverse, fitted interior (no contents), 10.7 cm high approx.

Small antique tortoise shell etui (empty) with inlaid cut steel,…

Antique Tortoise Shell Etui with Cut Steel Inlay

Small antique tortoise shell etui (empty) with inlaid cut steel, 8 cm high approx.

A Georgian tortoiseshell etui early 19th century with a…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Etui with Implements and Mirrored Lid

A Georgian tortoiseshell etui early 19th century with a mirrored lid, (fogged), and a fitted interior complete with implements, 4.5 cm high

A Georgian tortoiseshell etui early 19th century with a…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Etui with Fitted Interior and Mirror

A Georgian tortoiseshell etui early 19th century with a mirrored lid and a fitted interior complete with implements, 7 cm high

A sterling silver etui, 1851 Birmingham, with maker's mark for…

Nathaniel Mills Sterling Silver Etui 1851 Birmingham

A sterling silver etui, 1851 Birmingham, with maker's mark for Nathaniel Mills, of elegant tapering rectangular form with a spring loaded hinged top and with fine prick worked stripes; with a small monogrammed plaque to the centre within a scroll motif;…

A bloodstone, gold and gilt metal etui, probably German, circa…

Bloodstone Etui with Gold and Gilt Metal Implements

A bloodstone, gold and gilt metal etui, probably German, circa 1740, the shaped oblong case with applied reeded bindings and scrolling mounts, the fitted interior complete with implements: folding knife with gold mounted bloodstone case, pencil, scissors,…

A Regency tortoiseshell etui, the box enclosing sewing…

Regency Tortoiseshell Sewing Etui

A Regency tortoiseshell etui, the box enclosing sewing instruments.