The story of the Chinese silver needle case is actually came from Southwestern part of China around mid 1700's. A noble wife of the military officer, Gaiyin Liu went to a fabric shop examine the newest shipment of silks, needles and embroidery threads. Suddenly, she saw an object glitters in a ray of sunlight, hanging from the corseted waist of an English missionary's wife. The fabric merchant sees the object as well, and asks to examine it. The missionary's wife unhooked the chain and slowly opens the hinged sterling case that holds her sewing needles, explaining that it was a farewell present from her family in England.
Immediately, the merchant studies the container and Gaiyin also sees herself wearing a silver one instead of the wooden, carved bamboo or reed cases, attaching to her clothing. She knows that the merchant will soon instruct the local silversmiths to create such artifacts. On her next visit, she will be able to purchase such a treasure for herself.
During the Qing dynasty, a young woman's future depended largely upon her expertise with a needle. A husband picked a wife not for only her beauty, but for her mastery of embroidery. Also, in that dynasty, people felt that a woman revealed her inner soul through the intricacy of her stitchery. Thus, a skilled Chinese lady is always accomplish her embroidery tasks with a unique needle case carrying along with her.
Needle Case 1
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Needle case 2
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Picture 6
Picture 7
Picture 8
Picture 9
Picture 10
Picture 11
Picture 12
Needle case 3
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Picture 6
Immediately, the merchant studies the container and Gaiyin also sees herself wearing a silver one instead of the wooden, carved bamboo or reed cases, attaching to her clothing. She knows that the merchant will soon instruct the local silversmiths to create such artifacts. On her next visit, she will be able to purchase such a treasure for herself.
During the Qing dynasty, a young woman's future depended largely upon her expertise with a needle. A husband picked a wife not for only her beauty, but for her mastery of embroidery. Also, in that dynasty, people felt that a woman revealed her inner soul through the intricacy of her stitchery. Thus, a skilled Chinese lady is always accomplish her embroidery tasks with a unique needle case carrying along with her.
Needle Case 1
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3Needle case 2
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Picture 6
Picture 7
Picture 8
Picture 9
Picture 10
Picture 11
Picture 12Needle case 3
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Picture 6
You are probably right for the first item. As for the others, the most plausible explanation I heard is that they were used to attract fleas by putting some hairs and a few drops of blood inside. It was then attached inside the clothes. That would also explain the pin and the hooks. In case of No 3 it seems too small for more than 2 or 3 needles, impractical. regards, thomaS
ReplyDelete