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Fifteen assorted antique whalebone crochet hooks and bodkins with steel tips, including one Mother of pearl example, 19th century, the largest 6.10 in. high

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  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

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Fifteen assorted antique whalebone crochet hooks and bodkins…