2 Antique Carved Ivory Workbox Spools/ Reels * English * Circa 1850

The tops of these antique spools are ornately carved of real ivory in the form of flowers with layers of fine petals. The bottoms and shanks are also ivory. The decorative tops lift off, probably so they could be removed while winding and using. One of these is still wrapped with thread. The tops and bottoms both unscrew unscrew so that balls of thread could be slipped on.

The condition is excellent with no chips, cracks or other damage. They measure 1 1/2″ high and the tops are almost 1 1/4″ in diameter. The ivory grain and patina are lovely. The bottoms are numbered. They would have been part of a workbox set and numbered to identify the weight of the thread they held.