Sewing Kit

San Francisco Tribal

This compact sewing kit, from the Oceanic region, is constructed from woven pandanus fiber and contains needles fashioned from bird bones. Measuring approximately 20 × 6 inches, the kit is lightweight and designed for easy storage and transport.

The pandanus fibers are carefully processed and tightly woven, producing a flexible yet durable structure well suited to protecting small tools. Inside, the bird-bone needles are finely shaped and polished, their natural lightness and smooth surface ideal for sewing delicate materials such as cloth, leather, or plant fibers. The use of bone rather than metal suggests an early or rural context, where readily available natural materials were preferred or required.

Presented as found, with a small roll of handmade paper and an old collection label.
19th century

Aubrey MacKenzie
Mingei Archive
1267 20th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
360-930-1526
[email protected]

$300.00

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