Victorian Scottish Tartanware Needle Case “Caledonia”, c. 1860–1880

Book-like and barely bigger than a matchbox, this was made to live in a sewing basket or a reticule and be pulled out whenever a needle was wanted.

A Victorian Scottish tartanware needle case in the Caledonia pattern, lacquered over a wooden core. It hinges open to its original felt needle pad, and the interior is lined in purple silk. Silk was not the standard lining on tartanware of this period, so this one was made a step above the plainest examples.

Tartanware was the souvenir of Victorian Scotland. Highland romance had taken hold, the railways brought tourists north, and small useful objects came home covered in tartan by the thousand. Most were worked up in and around Mauchline in Ayrshire, where the trade ran for the better part of a century before a factory fire ended most of it.

Compact enough for a dressing table, and it still opens and closes the way it should.

[d]Type | Needle case
[d]Dimensions | 2.25 in. H x 1.5 in. W x 0.5 in. D
[d]Primary Material | Wood core with lacquered tartan decoration
[d]Secondary Material | Purple silk lining, felt needle pad
[d]Pattern | Caledonia tartan
[d]Period | Antique
[d]Date | Circa 1860 to 1880
[d]Origin | Scotland
[d]Style or Movement | Victorian tartanware, Mauchline ware
[d]Also Known As | Needlecase, needle book, tartan ware case
[d]Maker, Mark, or Attribution | None identified
[d]Construction or Technique | Hinged wooden case with applied and lacquered tartan decoration, silk-lined interior, felt needle pad
[d]Interior | Original felt needle pad, purple silk lining

[condition]
The lacquered tartan exterior displays surface wear, light scuffing, and small areas of finish loss, particularly along the edges and corners.

The interior purple silk lining shows discoloration, staining, and wear from use.

The original felt needle pad is present and shows age toning and surface wear.

The hinge functions properly and the case remains structurally sound, opening and closing as intended.

Sold empty. No needles are included.

Please review all photographs closely, as they form part of this description. Sold as-is; photos govern.