Antique Vegetable Ivory Tape Measure & Needle Case w/ Stanhope Viewer

French * Circa 1890s

This antique combination tape measure and needle case is carved of vegetable ivory with a pierced top and acorn shaped bottom. The cow (bovine) bone* finial contains a Stanhope viewer with eleven views entitled "Souvenir de Saumur". This is a town in western France, located between the Loire and Thouet rivers. The Stanhope is clear and readable.

It has the original and complete woven tape marked in centimeters (100 cm long). It winds in by turning the finial on top. The acorn on the bottom unscrews to access the needle case. It has the word "Souvenir" engraved on the side. There are no chips, cracks or other damage and it is in excellent working condition. It measures 3 5/8" high from the bottom to the top of the finial. 

Vegetable ivory comes from the corozo or tagua nut of a South American palm tree and was a favorite with the Victorians. It has the hardness and texture of ivory and a warm honey color. The dark spots and ivory like grain are also natural features of this material.

*This item is made of bone from a domestic cow (bovine) and NOT from an endangered species or an ivory producing species.

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