Sewing Beetle on Plinth
Needle Case (photographs courtesy of Kevin Smith)
Design Representation
Design Details
Although the registered design drawing for this item has a dog on the top, all other features of this design, including the diamond registration mark stamped on the bottom,
match with the Sewing Beetle needle case indicating the firm made this design with at least two different tops.
Needle Case Type: |
Figural |
Patent/Registered to: |
Bancroft Brothers – Birmingham |
Patent/Design Representation #: |
Ornamental Class1: Metal: #277991 |
Patent/Design Registration Date: |
November 7, 1873 |
Location of Patent/Design Registration: |
The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK |
Reference #: |
TNA Representation - BT 43/35/277991
TNA Register - BT 44/3/277991 |
Dimensions: |
8.5 x 6.2 x 3 |
Material: |
Brass |
Name Variations: |
a) W. Avery & Son - Redditch |
Other Variations: |
Dog on Plinth |
Additional Photographs
Side view and back view
Open interior view and bottom with Avery signature detail
Facts
A beetle is an insect distinguished by forewings typically modified into hard wing cases that cover and protect the hind wings and abdomen. The English name beetle comes
from the Old English word “bitela” which means little biter. Beetles are by far the largest order of insects with roughly 400,000 species making up about 40% of all insect species.
History
Beetles are prominent in human culture, from the sacred scarabs of ancient Egypt to beetlewing art and use as pets or fighting insects for entertainment and gambling. Many beetle groups
are brightly and attractively colored making them objects of collection and decorative displays. This development was in part influenced by the British interest in Egypt that accompanied
the building of the Suez Canal between 1859 and 1869. In Ancient Egypt, scarab beetles were a common symbol of good luck and appear as a motif in much of their jewelery.
Miscellaneous
P. T. Barnum was an American showman, politician, and businessman, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Barnum was often referred
to as the "Prince of Humbugs" and as such was depicted as shown in the drawing below. Humbug was a word used in the 19th century to mean a trick played upon unsuspecting people. Dickens
famously made “Bah, humbug!” the trademark phrase of an unforgettable character, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Victorian Jewelery
Insect jewelry was particularly sought after during the Victorian Period and most were made by the goldsmiths and silversmiths in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, UK. Many of
these brooches, pins, earrings and etc. included colorful gemstone like the ones show here.
Much of the right side panel informtion comes from Wikipedia.
