Accessory Case thumbnail 1
Accessory Case thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 54a

Accessory Case

ca. 1710 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
An étui is a container, and it could take many forms. This kind is sometimes known as an étui-nécessaire because it contained the essentials for the sewing or dressing table. It was probably intended to be hung from a girdle.

People
According to the inscription, the étui was a gift from Queen Anne (ruled 1702-1714) to Abigail Masham (died 1734), who, as Abigail Hill, was appointed as a personal maid to the queen about 1700. She was credited with considerable influence over the Queen, much to the annoyance of her cousin, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744), who had been her early patron. In 1707 she married Samuel Masham, and in 1711 she was given control of the privy purse. Her husband was created a Baron in 1712. She retired from Court on Queen Anne's death in 1714.

Authenticity
The étui has survived some close scrutiny in the past, but it can be difficult to judge the date of hardstone objects with relatively little mounting. The flowers chased on the fruit-knife handle look mid-18th century. The knife could be a replacement, but it is possible that the whole étui is also mid-18th century.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Etui Case
  • Scissors
  • Fruit Knife
  • Needle
  • Pen Nib
  • Pencil
  • Pen Holder
Materials and techniques
Agate, mounted in gold, set with an emerald and diamonds, with gold suspension chains, containing scissors, bodkin, fruit knife and combined pen and pencil
Brief description
Étui case, a gift from Queen Anne
Dimensions
  • Case height: 8.9cm
  • Width: 3cm
  • Depth: 3cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 09/11/2000 by KB. Height 13 cm with chain extended. Display dimensions are suggested maximum pen knife: approx 12.5cm long.
Marks and inscriptions
Engraved on the base: 'Masham from her Lovin Dux'
Gallery label
British Galleries: This étui or case was given by Queen Anne to Abigail Masham (died 1734) who was her personal maid from about 1704. Abigail Masham's influence with the Queen helped break the political power of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough in 1710. Inside the jewelled case are scissors, a fruit-knife, a combined pen and pencil and a bodkin for threading ribbons.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Summary
Object Type
An étui is a container, and it could take many forms. This kind is sometimes known as an étui-nécessaire because it contained the essentials for the sewing or dressing table. It was probably intended to be hung from a girdle.

People
According to the inscription, the étui was a gift from Queen Anne (ruled 1702-1714) to Abigail Masham (died 1734), who, as Abigail Hill, was appointed as a personal maid to the queen about 1700. She was credited with considerable influence over the Queen, much to the annoyance of her cousin, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744), who had been her early patron. In 1707 she married Samuel Masham, and in 1711 she was given control of the privy purse. Her husband was created a Baron in 1712. She retired from Court on Queen Anne's death in 1714.

Authenticity
The étui has survived some close scrutiny in the past, but it can be difficult to judge the date of hardstone objects with relatively little mounting. The flowers chased on the fruit-knife handle look mid-18th century. The knife could be a replacement, but it is possible that the whole étui is also mid-18th century.
Collection
Accession number
950:1 to 7-1882

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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