MJ's handcrafted, hexagon-shaped Tiffany etui has been designed as a beautiful and cheerful place to hold favored hand-sewing needles and pins, but would just as easily display a collection of treasured brooches.
The Tiffany Petite Hexagon Etui measures about 3 1/4" tall and is about 3" wide. The hidden construction elements are cardboard, wool batting and wool felt. The exterior is covered in Tiffany hand-dyed silk velvet and matelassé. The interior is comprised of Lemon Lime silk velvet needle panels and a Lime silk velvet pincushion. The half-circle zig-zag ruched ribbonwork accents on the etui exterior are comprised of Coral Sherbet, Sunny Day, Floribunda and Golden silk ribbon. Tiny beads accent the lid's scalloped edge while beadwork, cascading and MJ trademark cattywampus fluting grace the top of the lid. At the lid center is a velvet-covered magnet. The lid can also be used as a tray.
This is a one-of-a-kind piece, signed and dated by Mary Jo. The construction and finishing used to create this etui is of couture quality.
Etui: From the 17th century French verb estuier, to hold, and its nominal derivative estui, a holder/container, an étui is a small, decorative case that was used to hold and carry sewing items, sealing wax or toilet articles. The etui was designed to be a portable fashion accessory, a kind of predecessor to the handbag.
