Georgiana McCrae’s Sewing Box

Made from rosewood and inlaid with a brass floral design the box contains an array of beautifully crafted sewing tools, each housed in their own bespoke compartment, as well as swatches of fabric, lace, ribbons and thread. What makes this sewing box all the more special, is that Georgiana also used it to store some of her most cherished keepsakes.

This intricate silver filigree needle case opens like a book with pages made of red felt inside, including three needles which remain pinned to the pages. The case is neatly tucked into its own compartment in the top layer of the sewing box. The attention to detail and bespoke sewing tools such as this little case is what makes this sewing box so remarkable.

This cute little magnifying glass would have been used for intricate needlework. Made of brass and mother of pearl with yellow glass beads, it would have been an important aid for Georgiana’s fine sewing and craftwork. The little brass ring would likely have been for a chain so that it could be worn around the neck for easy retrieval when needed.

This embroidery sampler with multi coloured threads and a silk backing has been skilfully sewn. It includes a variety of letter groupings including the alphabet and vowels, and the initials “G.H.G” followed by “OCT 12 1811 FULHAM”. Georgiana’s maiden name was Huntley Gordon, so it’s possible that Georgiana embroidered this herself when she was seven years old.

This crocheted tubular shaped purse is known by a variety of names including a ring, finger or string purse. Perhaps it’s most common name is that of a miser’s purse. Originating in the late 18th century, they were used by both men and women and remained popular into the early 1900’s.

Tucked safely inside the sewing box is a lock of human hair inside a folded piece of note paper. The dark brown hair is likely to be Georgiana’s. It is accompanied by a handwritten note which says “My hair 1830” and on the front of the note paper there is more handwriting which includes “Cut off 1830”.

This woven bracelet made of what looks to be Georgiana’s hair, includes a central brass locket containing a strand of slightly lighter brown hair. The locket is engraved on the reverse with the initials “T.A.M” which we think is likely to be Georgiana’s youngest daughter Thomasina Agnes McCrae who sadly died at the age of two years and nine months in 1854.

Hair work was considered fashionable in the 18th and 19th centuries, when human hair was often chosen over other natural materials for its longevity and durability. Memorial hair work was also popular, with the wearer choosing to have a personalised item of jewellery crafted from their loved one’s own hair, so that they could keep the memory of their loved one close to them.

One of Georgiana’s many drawings can be found tucked behind a compartment attached to the lid of her sewing box. It is a black ink drawing of a fountain with Gordon Castle in the background, where she lived for a time as a child and where her wedding to Andrew took place.