Item 26-009 Scissor Event

The design sits comfortably in the late Victorian to Edwardian period, when decorative sewing tools were fashionable and often included in ladies’ workboxes.

Origin is most likely: 

• France (my first choice), particularly Nogent or Thiers.

• Possibly Germany (Solingen).

The graceful proportions and pierced central ornament are very characteristic of French mercerie scissors. The shape is quite similar to many French embroidery scissors sold through haberdashery shops during the Belle Époque.

The long narrow blades and delicate points are less suited to general household cutting and more suited to needlework.

These were almost certainly intended for:

• Embroidery

• Lace making

• Fine sewing

• Thread trimming

Measuring 12.5cm in length this is the sort of scissor that might originally have been sold with:

• A fitted sewing case.