Chinese silver needle cases
During the Qing dynasty, a young woman’s future depended largely upon her expertise with a needle. Embroidering was one of the important features sought by men when choosing a wife.
From an early age of seven or eight, a little girl practiced her sewing and needlework skills every day until she could produce the delicate stitches and complex designs. Sewing was a very important occupation for women, from all social classes, and she was taught to sew before how to write or read.
Given the importance of embroidery in her life, it’s not surprising that a silver needle case, often presented to a young girl as her dowry present was central to a woman’s personal adornment in the Qing dynasty.
Early use of needle cases in China
The first evidence of silver needle cases in China is from the 1700s. Before that, needle cases were made of carved bamboo, wood or reed.
It seems that the taste for silver cases started thanks to the European trade and exchange through missionaries’ wives visiting the country, as European women were using silver needle holders hanging from the waist from the 14th century. The use of humble materials, though, continued until the 20th century for women from lower classes.
The importance of these artifacts extended into the Republic era.
Use and manufacture of needle cases
A needle case typically consisted of an ornamental silver sheath fitted over a silver cylindrical compartment holding the instruments themselves, the whole arrangement suspended on either a chain or a silk cord. The case could have one or two compartments.
Apart from the needle case, there could be many ornamental and auspicious small pendants and beads, like coins, animals and fruits, carnelian… You can see some examples in this post. The chain hung from the button of a woman’s dress.
The silversmiths employed engraving, chasing or repoussé for the needle cases or both repoussé and chasing.
For more information on the subject: “Four centuries of Silver. Personal adornment in the Qing Dynasty and after”, Duda, Margaret, Times editions, Singapure, 2002
