Friday 14 February 2014

Sure as eggs is eggs...



Old, worn, pottery eggs in a hand blown glass jar....


Random shapes, glazes and sizes...


Used to encourage hens to lay or for dealing with temperamental, broody hens who won't get off the nest I was told. 
The little ones I presume are for bantams.

Known as "boody" or "clucker" eggs here in the North of England.... Are there any other names from different parts of the country I wonder?

No chicks with these pottery eggs, but a little cutie in this half shell.


It hangs over a magnet in the plastic shell and wobbles in and out when held in the hand.


No value but it makes me smile with its funny little face!

Finally, a Victorian treen egg...


The Columbian Egg Needle Case.

It unscrews and the base of the egg pushes up,


To reveal a pop up dispenser with a hole, which when turned to the different number on the side, releases the right size needle.




Ingenious invention and a typical Victorian novelty. 
However, I am not sure if it saw much needlework service... It would drive me nuts filling the seperate compartments and having to push and twist each time I needed a needle.

 Much prefer my French toile, egg shaped pin cushion given to me ages ago by lovely Jo Ross of Hesta Nesta (  no longer blogging.. Boo hoo..but on Facebook now with far too many Pugs by her AGA and a great eye for vintage costume and accessories )


Gateshead Fair tomorrow and Miss Ottie is coming along for the ride... 
Should be fun!
Julie x