Antique Figural Mauchline Ware Bottle Needle & Thimble Case

Sterling Silver Thimble * Circa 1890s

This antique Mauchline ware piece is in the form of a bottle with a black corked top. It was probably made by the W. & A. Smith Co. in Mauchline Scotland. The bottom has a print entitled "Alnmouth". This is a village in Northumberland on England's northeast coast. The top of the bottle lifts off and there's a needle case below. It opens in the middle and the bottom has a post to hold a thimble. Inside is a sterling silver thimble.

There is an indentation above the right side of the image but it looks more like a knot in the wood than damage (see close-up). The condition is otherwise excellent with no cracks or loss. The original paper is on the bottom. Everything fits together snugly and the bottle measures 4 3/8" high x about 1 1/4" in diameter.

The thimble is English with the silver hallmarks for Birmingham 1897 and the maker's mark for Henry Griffith & Sons. It's about an American size 6 (14 mm diameter opening). The condition is excellent with a crisp design and no holes, repairs or other damage.  

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