Fish with Scallop Shell
No example of this needle case has been found to date and it is unknown whether it was actually produced. If you have this needle
case in your possession or know of someone who has it, please contact us so that photographs of it can be
obtained and added to the this website.
Design Representation
Design Details
Needle Case Type: |
Figural |
Patent/Registered to: |
W. Avery & Son - Redditch |
Patent/Design Representation #: |
Ornamental Class 1: Metal: #263786 |
Patent/Design Registration Date: |
June 27, 1872 |
Location of Patent/Design Registration: |
The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK |
Reference #:
|
TNA Representation - BT 43/32/263786
TNA Register - BT 44/2/263786 |
Dimensions: |
Unknown |
Material: |
Unknown |
Name Variations: |
Unknown |
Other Variations: |
Unknown |
Facts
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a fish is “a cold-blooded animal that lives in water, breathes with gills, and usually has
fins and scales.” There are over 32,000 different species of fish in the world and they are found in almost all aquatic environments:
lakes, streams, rivers, oceans and in captivity, aquariums. The scallop is a species of marine shellfish which are located in all of
the world’s oceans. Their fan-shaped shells with ridges are often collected and the pattern is frequently found in artistic motifs and
works of art.
History
Fishing gained popularity during the Victorian period since middle class people had more leisure time. In addition, during the summer
months the wealthy liked to get out of the city and spend time at their country estates where hunting and fishing were regular activities.
As a result, fishing gear improved significantly during this period with the creation of fancy flies for fly fishing and specialized fishing
reels. Many of these items got their start in Redditch since most needle manufactures also produced fishing hooks. The
chromolithographic drawing below shows two Victorian men and a woman fishing.
Miscellaneous
The scallop shell has been a popular motif in art since ancient times and was often used to depict fertility. It is for this reason
that Venus, the Roman goddess of love and fertility, frequently is portrayed with a scallop shell. This was best captured in 1486 by the
Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli in his most famous painting entitled ‘The Birth of Venus’ which is partially pictured
below. Decorative scallop shell-shaped bowls, plates, serving dishes, molds and silverware were common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
