Posted 14 years ago
LoveLalique
(7 items)
I bought this item from a persom in the UK and they told me it was a sewing totem, I don't think so but then I don't know what it is or what it was used for. It is covered in guilloche enamel with silver plate and brass base metal. On the bottom it says BREVETE, S.G.D.G., MADE IN FRANCE, LETCTEM. Please can anyone help me? Thanks. Blessings.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A2564&rt=nc&_nkw=brevete&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=2
A place to start.
Thanks so much but I was unable to find anything as yet, I really need info on this little antique so please anyone out there can help it would be much appreciated. Thanks. Blessings.
I searched guilloche compacts and vanity items marked Brevete - perhaps this was a make up brush holder - see this similar item - http://www.auntjudysattic.com/product_detail_Powder35.htm
But who made your item is a mystery -- because according to my research:
•Brevete: this word is commonly found on French items and some people mistake it for a manufacturers marking, but it simply means patented.
•Bté. SGDG: means "patented." It is shortened from the phrase Breveté Sans Garantie du Gouvernement which means "Patented without State Guarantee."
This info is from:
http://reviews.ebay.com/Depose-and-Deponiert-and-other-French-and-German-marks_W0QQugidZ10000000002158707
Good luck identifying your pretty piece.
Thanks so much, were you able to find anything on the word LETCTEM? which is in the very middle of the bottom, your idea sounds great and the pic looks familar but there are no moving parts apart from it pulling apart into two pieces and absolutley no reidue which means nothing as it could have been washed, I'm about to go crazy trying to figure it out. Again thank you so much I appreciate your time. Regards & Blessings.
Hi again -- I had searched as you spelled it and found zip -- but then my brain flashed! It's 2 words! "Le Totem" - french for the totem -- so then I found the same item on ebay -- sadly without a high price, but at least now you know.
They called it a thread holder.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350372608463
Hi and thanks again but that is the one and same thing, I have the one you saw and the person that had it dosen't think it is a sewing totem either, he had the same problem I had and that is finding out what it is, it's not big enough to be a sewing kit not enough room and why wood someone go threw all the trouble to unscrew the little cap to wind thread around it when there is not enough room for very much thread. He told me good luck:) So it's back to the drawing board. Thank you for your time. It is a very nice little piece of history. Blessings.
If you look up the word totem it covers a lot and it is a totem but what for? Thanks.
Hi - I think you missed my point - LE TOTEM is the company, brand or maker's name - here is another item with the same mark -- also called a thread holder:
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-THREAD-HOLDER-LE-TOTEM-MADE-FRANCE-/140436319515?pt=UK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ
They would hold very small spools of thread, along with some needles - like a small mending / sewing kit for a ladies purse - similar to what would have once hung on a chatelaine.
Finding history on the company is now your challenge. I think you know the value, as you bought it on ebay, where millions of eye saw it listed.
Of course, you may have better luck when you sell it. I hope so! Cheers!
Thank you it dose look familar but look at picture 3 when the little screw is in place and put togeather, there is no where for the thread to come out because the screw and cap that are in place blocks anything from coming out or going in. I'm hoping the person who has the one you found maybe they can shed some light on the situation LOL :) This is what I have been going threw as I looked everything up as you did but I could not find anything that looked like it now we have another one I hope but if it has the screw and the 2nd cap there is no way it can hold or be used to despence thread. Thanks again for your time, your very kind to help me.
Hm. This is dizzying. The cap with the little hole--does it fit (work) when the screw cap is removed? Maybe one side held tiny spools of different colors and the user would pop in the one of choice? Certainly does seem like a lot of work but those Victorian women did have their quirks...
But then, if it was a kit that held needles those needles would be smaller than a penny.
Yes I do agree and no not enough room between the two caps for anything also not long enough for a needle and I collect sewing kits the ones with guilloche or sterling silver. I bought one for 9.00 that was stering silver and had a 14k gold thimble in it, that was a good day:) Thanks so much. Blessings.
Yes and try sewing with a needle as long as a penny.
forget the space BETWEEN the two caps. read my post again.
Ok (I see what your saying now and yes you can still use the cap with the hole in it if the other cap is not in place but then what to do with the other cap and screw? I think there is something missing maybe.
OK. If I were you the next thing I would do is search 'sets.' This would to be to rule out that there may have been a little matching box or something. You already know this sort of item so you'll know what kind of search terms to use.
I take paypal. ;-)
I will see what comes up but we still haven't solved the puzzle. :)
Science is a process that begins with a hypothesis.
Thanks all I really appreciate the help and look forward to solving this mystery. Blessings.
Oh please I know there has to be someone who knows what this is oh and by the way I emailed the person who had the other one that looked a little like mine and she told me to be truthful I really don't know what it is or for what it is used for, she just couldn't think of anything else to call it so there you have it, two pieces and I still don't know what it or they are or for what they are used for so please folks please put on those thinking caps and lets solve this mystery please. Thanks so much for your time it means alot to me. Blessings from I'm waiting.
Sorry Simone but no cigar, Thanks so much for your input, back to the drawing board. Blessings.
I don't think this item has anything to do with sewing. The chamber under the screw & washer is possibly a reservoir. The screw-in disk with a hole is concave as though you might place your finger tip there to sample whatever is in the reservoir, ie parfume, smelling salts. Perhaps the cap held a wad of cotton. If this seems feasible, you could try an experiment by placing a liquid with a fragrance in the chamber, cotton in the cap put it together and see what happens. I am quite curious so please post.
LoveLalique, I don't know if you are still around, but I have an item just like yours except the case is red enamel with silver metal bands around it. I've been trying to figure out what it is and my best guess is that it is a type of refillable lip balm case. It winds up just like a lip balm and the vaseline (or whatever) gets pushed out the tiny hole. Mine has the same wording on the bottom - "Le Totem Brevete" and also "Made in France". Hope you get this.