Accession Number

2008.005.007

Description

A metal tape-measure in the form of a Christmas tree, the square metal base in the form of a planter, the four body panels painted with gold-coloured bronze powder paint and embellished with repouseed fruit garlands, the planter's framework and four legs of tin-plated brass, at the top four corners of the planter a metal ball painted with gold-coloured bronze powder paint, at one side of the planter a ridged metal tube affixed to the end of a coiled fabric tape with inch and centimetre markings and stored within the planter, the retraction of the tape facilitated by winding a crank intended to simulate a music-box winder under the planter. Rising from the centre of the planter is a Christmas tree formed from sheet-metal covered in flaking black paint, the bottom branches decorated with identically-sized red beads of undetermined composition.

Narrative

This Christmas-themed tape measure is a good example of the wide variety of novelty tape measures available to sewers during the 19th Century. The Castle Society owns several interesting examples of themed tape measures.

History of Use

Unknown

Date

circa 1880

Dimensions

7 x 2.5 cm

Material

Metal, brass; Metal; Paint, powder; Fabric, linen

Technique

Cut; Painted; Repoussed