Among the most elegant personal needlework accessories of the Louis XV period, this exceptional French knotting shuttle is fashioned of luminous mother-of-pearl and richly ornamented with intricate silver and gold metal pique work. Each side centers upon a beautifully executed butterfly within flowing Rococo scrolls, flowers and foliage, the delicate metallic inlay creating remarkable brilliance against the natural iridescence of the shell. Measuring an impressive 13 cm (5⅛ inches) in length—larger than many surviving examples—it was created not merely as an object of beauty, but as a refined working implement for the fashionable lady whose accomplishments included the art of knotting. During the eighteenth century, finely crafted knotting shuttles such as this accompanied women of rank, producing the decorative cords and trims that adorned gowns, purses and household furnishings, while also serving as elegant symbols of refinement and accomplishment. Examples of comparable quality are today preserved in distinguished museum collections.
Examples of comparable quality are today preserved in distinguished museum collections, including the Wallace Collection, London. Sir Joshua Reynolds immortalized the fashionable pastime in his celebrated portrait of Anne, Countess of Albemarle, depicting her at work with a similar shuttle. This outstanding example possesses all of the graceful movement associated with the French Rococo: asymmetrical scrolls, delicate floral ornament and the ever-popular butterfly, a favorite eighteenth-century symbol of beauty and transformation. Remarkably light in the hand despite its generous size, it remains a testament to the extraordinary artistry of French luxury craftsmen, who united exquisite design with practical function. An exceptionally scarce survivor from the golden age of French decorative arts, it is equally at home in an advanced collection of Palais Royal and sewing antiques, eighteenth-century luxury objects, or among the finest examples of French decorative arts. This is NOT a tatting shuttle - It is 13 cm long, and weighs 60.46 grams, Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent Condition for age and type, evidence of use, light loss to gold foil and some thin mother of pearl Fine antique condition, retaining its original mother-of-pearl body with extensive precious metal pique inlay. As expected for an object created to be used, there is minor age-related wear and a few small losses to the delicate metallic inlay, entirely consistent with more than two and a half centuries of careful handling. The shuttle displays beautifully and remains a remarkably rare survivor of eighteenth-century French luxury craftsmanship. This is NOT a tatting shuttle - It is 13 cm long, and 60.46 grams, Full measurements noted on photos. The embroidery panels lying under it in our photos is not included.
