A rare Victorian Mauchline Ware Tape Measure in the form of a beehive. It is made from sycamore and dates from circa 1870/1880. It has a picture on the front of Grange which is in Borrowdale in the Lake District. The mauchline ware case is in excellent condition and has a lovely patina.
The tape measure is made of red silk and is original and measures up to 36 inches (it starts at 5") I do have the end stop but it has worn away from the rest of the measure (see photo 4 & 5).
The tape is extended and retracted by way of the finial at the top of the beehive case and this works extremely well.
The base of the case still has some of its original paper covering.