Antique Tortoise Shell Knotting / Tatting Shuttle * Circa 1750-1800

This wonderful old knotting shuttle was used for making a knotted trim popular with French and English ladies between 1750 and 1800. It’s carved from natural tortoise shell and held together with rivets. The post is rosewood.

The condition is excellent with no cracks, chips or loss of inlay. There aren’t even any edge insect nibbles. It measures 4 1/8″ long by 1 3/8″ wide. It glows with patina and the shell has wonderful patterns when held to the light. Nerylla Taunton shows an 18th century portrait of a lady knotting on page 65 of her book “Antique Needlework Tools”.