Bodkins are usually 2.5-inches (63-mm) to 4.0-inches (101-mm) long, conical in shape, lathe-turned or hand-carved whalebone sewing or knitting implements.
Per my family's oral tradition, bodkins were used specifically for tatting lace doilies. Making & selling doilies was a very important cottage industry for Nantucket womenfolk while their men were on whaling cruises that lasted upto four years. Whalers only made bodkins for their mothers, wives, sweethearts, and daughters. Whalers never sold bodkins, as this would contribute to potential competition for the Nantucket women.
Authentic bodkins were made with no eyes; the multi-twist lacing thread was tied to the narrow waist of each bodkin. Eight bodkins were needed to make an eight-sided doilie (also doily); six were needed for six-sided. Bodkins were made in several sets of matched pairs, set opposite each other to keep distinction between the matching wedge patterns of the doilie. A knitter may work on several different doilies simultaneously, requiring scores of bodkin pairs. If a knitter lost or broke a bodkin, she was left with the proverbial "odd bodkin".
50-each x $7.50 = $375
Antique and Antique Collecting
Antiques have always lured those with a passion for the past and its cultural significance. Antique collecting though is a serious hobby which requires the hobbyist to posses a great deal of information on the history and other correlating facts if they are to land a reasonable purchase. Most often if not antiques make their way into the mainstream market via simple garage sales, auction houses etc. wherein the owner would have overlooked the significance of these precious collectables.
A reflection and testimony of the glorious past, Antiques are undoubtedly rare. Perhaps that is why Antiques have been collected and preserved for over thousands of years as a souvenir and tribute to what has been and gone. After all, those heard are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter!
Antique collecting has been in the books since the 16th century, gaining momentum through the 18th century to grow into what is now a healthy international business thats on par with the art industry. Some individuals prefer to collect antiques from a specific era, while most are into specific objects and aim at a timeline based collection such as vintage cars or clocks from the 1950s for example. The purchase of antiques is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the effort that goes into their maintenance. Most objects would be anywhere in the range of 50 to 100 years old. The biggest culprit to an antiques degradation is exposure to natural elements, even the air in most cases!
Over the years, antique collecting has taken another curious twist as certain home décor trends these days reflect on a retro feel. For this reason a lot of long lost furniture and clothing styles from half a century ago have found their way back into the current world with small changes that help them amalgamate into the 21st century. This trend of commercially viable antiques has had a negative impact on the market as replicas of famous antiques have been making the rounds and authenticity issues are far too common. Examples for the same would be pendulum clocks, bone china and the 1970 – 1979 contemporary modern furniture.
When it comes to venturing towards a purchase, its best for an individual to take assistance from the nearest antique dealer organization as it would guarantee both its authenticity as well as cover any legalities. Most often the replica market supplies the same antiques at a much lower price and the buyer could suffer serious repercussions on purchasing from such sources as these pieces are not officially accounted for. Antique collecting needs to be met with diligence and maturity in order to successfully sustain the past in the present.
