Spindle whorl

Viking bone needle-case from Carn nan Bharraich, Oronsay, Argyll, 850 - 900 AD

Bone needle-case ornamented with rings cut in relief, from Freswick Links, Caithness, 200 BC - 1100 AD

Needle case of coloured leathers, from a soldier's girdle: Tibet

Porcelain needle-case painted in crimson and blue enamel colours and gilt and moulded in low relief with tall leaves and flutes, with gilt metal mount with hinged matching dome-shaped porcelain cover with gilt metal mount, part of the Ida Pappenheim Collection: German, Thuringia, c. 1860 - 1900

Porcelain needle-case painted in enamel colours and gilt, in the form of a baby in swaddling clothes, with brass mount at the bottom with hinged matching porcelain cover with brass mount, part of the Ida Pappenheim Collection: German, Thuringia, c. 1860 - 1900

Woman's needle-case, of ivory, with Chinese blue beads: North America, Canada, Northwest Territories, Mackenzie River, Inuit, c. 1864

Woman's needle-case, thimble-holder and bone thimble for forcing needle, wood, bone and skin: Inuit, North America, USA, Alaska, Point Hope, Inupiat, 1930s

Needle-case of bone, possibly from a large bird, with a polished surface, from a Viking grave group from Kneep Head, Valtos, Uig, Isle of Lewis, 900 - 1000

Bone needle-case which carries a native iron needle and has a leather strap, used as a thimble, a small curved stone, reindeer molar tooth and a horn and bone toggle: Inuit