Victorian Beehive Treen Tape Measure, Circa 1880
Victorian Beehive Treen Tape Measure, Circa 1880
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A Victorian novelty sewing tape measure turned in the shape of a beehive, or skep, one of the most popular figural forms for English sewing accessories in the second half of the 19th century. The body is ebonized treen with crisp horizontal reeding that mimics the coiled straw of a real skep, and a small turned bone finial sits at the top. You pull the tab to draw the tape out, then spin the bone finial to wind it back in. The mechanism still works smoothly. A charming, pocket-sized piece that would have lived in a sewing box or on a work table.
The tape measure is in good antique condition and functions as intended. The ebonized treen body is solid with crisp reeding, showing light surface wear and a fine age split running down one side of the dome, visible in the photos. The turned bone finial is intact and spins to retract the tape. There is a small original metal tab where the tape exits the base. The blue woven tape extends to approximately 70 inches and retracts cleanly; it carries faint printed graduation marks and may or may not be original to the piece. Light marks and handling wear throughout consistent with age and use.
Shipping & Returns
All antique and vintage items are shipped from our warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Each piece is carefully packed by hand using archival materials and custom crating when necessary.
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the size and weight of the item. Local pickup is available at the AMD Warehouse.
Furniture is the exception. Because of size and weight, furniture shipping is quoted separately rather than calculated at checkout. Send a DM on Instagram or email austynmariedesign@gmail.com for a quote, or arrange your own shipping from the warehouse.
All sales of antique and vintage items are final due to their unique, one-of-a-kind nature. Illuminé candles and The Collector's Guide may be returned within 14 days of delivery if unopened and in original condition.
If your piece arrives damaged, please photograph the damage immediately (including packaging), contact us within 48 hours at austynmariedesign@gmail.com, and do not discard any packaging.
Important Info About Antique & Vintage
Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.
Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.
We describe the condition of each piece as accurately as possible in the listing. If you have specific questions about a piece before purchasing, please reach out. We are always happy to provide additional photos or details.
Colors may appear slightly different on screen due to monitor settings and photography lighting. We do our best to represent each item accurately.
Descriptions, dates, attributions, materials, and measurements are provided in good faith and reflect our best assessment based on research, physical examination, and the information available to us. Antique and vintage pieces often carry incomplete or unverifiable histories. Where a detail is an assessment rather than a confirmed fact, it is identified as such. Measurements are approximate. All items are sold as-is, with the photographs and condition report governing.
