Sami Needle Case (Nallugoat) – Folk Art from Sápmi (Lapland) – Circa 1880–1910
This rare needle case, known as a Nallugoat in the Sami language, is a fascinating example of the craftsmanship of the Sami people, a nomadic people of Lapland (the northern region of Sápmi, between Norway and Finland).
An essential item in pastoral life, it was used to store needles.
Probably made from reindeer bone.
Sami Needle Case (Nallugoat) – Folk Art from Sápmi (Lapland) – Circa 1880–1910
This rare needle case, known as a ‘Nallugoat’ in the Sami language, is a fascinating example of the craftsmanship of the Sami people, a nomadic group from Lapland (the northern region of Sápmi, between Norway and Finland).
An essential item in pastoral life, it was used to store needles.
The object is carved from reindeer bone, I believe. It is a naturally hollow bone whose base has been sealed. At the end, one can see the marks of the bone being cut by hand, as well as a seal made of brown organic resin.
The engravings are executed using the Kolrosing technique, a method involving the creation of fine incisions with the tip of a knife to form delicate, regular patterns that are often repeated. The black colour of the lines is achieved by applying a mixture of ground pine bark and natural pigments, such as charcoal dust, which saturate the engravings.
The densely detailed decoration covers the entire piece.
The motifs and their meanings:
The diamond: A central motif divided into four hatched compartments, representing the structure of the dwelling (Lavvu) or the Sami cosmological order.
The ocelli (dotted circles): Featured in large numbers, these circles are protective motifs symbolising the eye or the sun, believed to watch over the contents of the case.
Geometric friezes frame the decoration, typical of the style of Northern Norway and Finland (Inari/Utsjoki region).
The bone has a superb patina from use, confirming its age (late 19th – early 20th century), circa 1880–1910
Total length: 18.5 cm
Base approx. 4 cm
This is an antique item that has been used; it is not a modern object produced for today’s tourist market.
Originally, the case had a stopper, which is missing here.
You can find some examples of Sami handicrafts by following these links.
Box of cocaine lozenges
MBC (Menthol Cocaïno Boraté)
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EMPTY
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Pharmacy jar - Herbalism - Apothecary bottle
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Antique pharmacy bottle
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Scyliorhinus canicula
Unprotected species - Old taxidermy: visible suture under the belly and on the left side near the mouth
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Mirror missing
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Late 19th century, Neo-Renaissance style from the Napoleon III period
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Acide Chlorhydrique
Antique pharmacy bottle
Handwritten text on a label from the Berthier Pharmacy, located at the Rotonde Marceau in Paris. The label shows the telephone number 02-76 with the Wagram area code, which dates the bottle to between 1912—when area codes were first introduced—and the 1930s or 1940s.
Voyage to the South Pole and Oceania on the corvettes the Astrolabe and the Zélée, executed by order of the king during the years 1837-1838-1839-1840 under the command of M. Dumont-d'Urville captain of vessel
Botanical plate
Published in 1846
Atlas of Natural History - Botany
Phanerogamy
Racine de Ratanhia - Para Rhatany
Pharmacy jar - Herbalism - Apothecary bottle
Bundle of 100 stamps tied with string
Green 5 centimes stamp of the Semeuse type
Issued from 1903 to the end of the 1930s
70° alcohol
Antique pharmacy bottle - Apothecary
Mrs Bataille-Simon, First Class Pharmacist in Beaumont sur Sarthe - Tel 9
The Pharmacist's Drawer
Small antique wooden pharmacy drawer that can be used as a storage box
A true time capsule!
Sold with its contents, just as they were found when discovered in the basement of this Parisian pharmacy.
Tincture of Jalap Compound also known as German brandy
A purgative powder is extracted from the Jalap plant.
Antique pharmacy bottle
Apothecary vial
An antique absinthe topette (decanter)
6 Beaded Topette
Residue in the bottom of the carafe
Fish - Antique chart by D'Orbigny - 1869
In colors
Atlas of the Universal Dictionary of Natural History
Sami Needle Case (Nallugoat) – Folk Art from Sápmi (Lapland) – Circa 1880–1910
This rare needle case, known as a Nallugoat in the Sami language, is a fascinating example of the craftsmanship of the Sami people, a nomadic people of Lapland (the northern region of Sápmi, between Norway and Finland).
An essential item in pastoral life, it was used to store needles.
Probably made from reindeer bone.
