Fir Cones

Formerly known as the Pine Cones

Fir Cones needle
case
Needle Case

Design Representation

Design Details

Needle Case Type:	Figural
Patent/Registered to:	W. Avery & Son - Redditch
Patent/Design Representation #:	Ornamental Class1: Metal: #275520
Patent/Design Registration Date:	August 25, 1873
Location of Patent/Design Registration:	The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK
Reference #:	TNA Representation - BT 43/34/275520 TNA Register - BT 44/3/275520
Dimensions:	7.9 x 6.7 x 3.1
Material:	Brass
Name Variations:	W. Avery & Son - Redditch
Other Variations:	None

Additional Photographs

Side view and back hinge view

Front and top views

Bottom and signature detail

Interior view

Facts

A fir cone is similar to a pine cone, the main difference being one is found on a fir tree and the other on a pine tree. Both are conical shaped fruits composed of scales that open when mature to release seeds. Another difference is the way the cones develop, fir cones don’t hang down like many other conifers, they grow erect and often look like candles. When young fir cones are green like the ones pictured here, however they usually turn brown as they mature.

Fir Cones facts

History

The Victorians were very interested in nature and as a result detailed examination of plant and animal species became common. Men and women would frequently join together in groups to search for different plants and catalogue what they found. Botany was one of the most popular sciences and detailed color drawings like the one of the fir cones below were prepared.

Fir Cones history

Miscellaneous

The fir tree is an evergreen found throughout North and Central American, Europe, Asia and North Africa. They differ from other evergreens in the way the needles attach to the branches and how the branches spread out. They make excellent Christmas trees because of their shape, aromatic foliage and the fact that they do not drop as many needles as other evergreens. The chromolithographic print below shows a drawing of a Victorian Christmas tree. Click on the picture below to see a larger version of it.