Casgliadau Arlein

Wooden casket style sewing box; inlaid with mother of pearl on lid and around lock escutcheon; one ring handle broken off; interior of lid lined with ruched silk, which opens up to reveal letter compartment; base lined with blue paper with fitted lift-out tray which has 3 lidded compartments, 2 pincushions and 2 needle cases, 6 small and 1 oblong open compartments, and 1 thimble holder compartments; most of original contents missing; beneath tray are various needlework samples of a later date, including 2 baby's vests, 6 stiting samples and an unfinished sampler, unfinished examples of braidwork and blackwork.

This rosewood workbox with mother of pearl inlay belonged to Eleanor Humphreys Owen of Glansevern House, near Welshpool. It was made in about 1830, but it was used by Eleanor in the late 1800s to store her sewing equipment. The silk lined interior includes several small compartments and a removable tray. The box contains two pincushions, two needle cases, a thimble, stitching samples and an unfinished sampler.