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Manicure set

Manicure set

  • Place of origin:

    England, Great Britain (made)

  • Date:

    1670-1680 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Silver

  • Credit Line:

    Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The Art Fund

  • Museum number:

    T.458-1990

  • Gallery location:

    British Galleries, room 56d, case 6

  • Download image

Object Type
This manicure set was among the contents of an embroidered casket used by a young girl, Martha Edlin (1660-1725), to store her small personal possessions. It is marked with her initials M E. Its four implements were used as part of her beauty and hygiene routine. It is unclear what each tool was used for, but they may include an earspoon for removing ear wax, a tongue scraper, a tool for cleaning dirt from under fingernails and a toothpick or cuticle pusher.

People
A group of Martha Edlin's possessions from her childhood, including this manicure set, were kept in the casket, cherished by her descendants and passed down through the female line in her family for over 300 years. We know little about her life, except that she married a man called Richard Richmond and appears to have been a prosperous widow with daughters and grandchildren, who was living in Pinner in Greater London at the time she drew up her will.

Physical description

Small silver manicure set consisting of four implements rotating on a central rivet with a loop from which it could be suspended. The outer sides of the two outer implements are decorated (cast), and two inner implements are cut from sheet silver. One inside surface is inscribed with the initials 'ME' (for Martha Edlin). Maker's mark (nearly illegible but probably 'PR') is stamped on another surface.

Place of Origin

England, Great Britain (made)

Date

1670-1680 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Silver

Marks and inscriptions

'ME'
'PR' [possibly, as not clearly legible]

Dimensions

Height: 6.5 cm

Object history note

Purchased. Registered File number 1989/1572.

Descriptive line

Small silver manicure set, made in England, 1670-1680

Labels and date

British Galleries:
MARTHA EDLIN'S TOYS AND JEWELLERY

Martha Edlin's silver toys and jewellery came to the Museum in her casket. Some are practical, such as the manicure set and the bodkin which was used for threading ribbons. She may have played with the tiny silver trenchers (plates), spoons and salts. The round locket and heart-shaped box are stamped with images of King Charles II. [27/03/2003]

Production Note

From Martha Edlin's casket

Materials

Silver

Categories

British Galleries; Metalwork; Accessories

Collection code

T&F

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Qr_O11038
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