Accession Number

2008.005.011.005

Alternate Name

kit, needlework

Description

Small metal button hook with a flat, tear-drop shaped mother-of-pearl handle.

Narrative

Button hooks are meant to aid in buttoning tight or hard to reach buttons on boots, gloves, and clothing. The hook is inserted through the button hole and hooked around the shank of the button to pull the button through the button hole. They were commonly found in sewing kits and dresser sets.

History of Use

The donor was a collector of needlework items and bequeathed this to Craigdarroch as part of a large gift of sewing tools. 

Date

circa 1880

Dimensions

9.7 x 1.4 cm

Material

Metal; Shell, mother of pearl