Unknown Sterling Item Sewing? Toothpick?

I don't have a clue! Measures about three inches long.

 

reminds me of a bobbin of some sort - lace or something.

 

I would imagine it's for tatting.

 

Lace bobbin

https://www.google.com/search?newwi...mg..1.13.1360...0j0i8i30k1j0i24k1.1PiZLl-KROE

 

Its a Shuttle, As it says Stirling its American.

 

As Ivy has said, a shuttle - a/k/a a TATTING SHUTTLE.

 

I have some of these, I was trying to put on a photo but I'm having trouble with it, I have one like that.

 

My Grandma "tatted"? "did tatting"? (I'm not even certain of the correct way to say it!)

It's not something I ever learned to do, but I can still picture Grandma sitting in her chair, tatting away (without even looking at what she was doing!)

My grandmother died in 1966, but she made some lovely lace things that I still have, to this day.

 

Got it Its come out small for some reason.

 

VERY pretty, Ivy! (Do you know how to use it?)

 

No, I never tried I just like them, they are so pretty and come in many different materials.

 

This is my favourite one.

 

Love this one too.

 

These little items are very collectible, At least here in the UK anyway, They go for a good price at antiques fairs.

 

You can't give tatting things away here; they're considered old tat. (badump) The sterling ones might sell, but they might well sell to a scrapper. Sell them to a bunch of Jamaican gentlemen and they'll put them right back to work. As of 30 years ago Rastas still tatted, and odds are still do.

 

I'm surprised you say that you can't give them away, Some of mine are Victorian and sell for around £100, Here in the UK sewing antiques are big business.
Only one of mine is Sterling the others are fully hallmarked.

 

Been quite a while, but the last sterling tatting shuttle I had sold for close to $200. - those in other materials, even modern, have sold well for me...

~Cheryl

 

Some of mine were made by the best silver smith's of the time and one I have is pretty rare, They are a wonderful collecting field, The silver ones don't come up that often, I'm lucky if I can find one every couple of years or so.

 

Sounds like a lovely collection. Might consider shopping online in the U.S., they're not particularly uncommon here, prices seem to have come down a bit from the last one I sold, like so many other antiques...

~Cheryl

 

Good idea Cheryl, It's strange how these things can vary from one country to another, I intend looking for shuttles in other materials such as Tortoishell and Mother of Pearl so I'll certainly check online.