From what I understand each one of these scissors were made by the widow of a famous French Scissors maker to commemorate his work and life. Apparently, only 200-250 of each pair were made. Each pair has a number on them. In the information I gleaned from a couple of websites (see below), these are pretty special scissors. They cut like a dream and are the best scissors I have ever had!
The larger Art Deco scissors are stamper 60 Medaille D'Or with a little crown above them and they are numbered 24. There is a stamp that says "tenna something" one side.... the smaller ones are stamped 76 inside the blades and have the crown and logo that says 69 Medaille D'Or on one side. The plain scissors are not stamped with anything but are in the leather case and I have to tell you, they cut incredibly so even tho they aren't stamped, it seems like the exact same workmanship. The rabbit scissors are stamped with a 3 but do not have the Medaille D'Or 69 Crown and stamp on them but are also in the Leather case stamped with the logo 69 Medaille D'Or and Crown logo.
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Rabbit Sculptural Embroidery Scissors (far right)
I found a pair of these for sale on line for $138.00 at http://www.unoallavolta.com/default.asp
These rabbit embroidery scissors were all forged in the early to mid 1900's. Created from matrices no longer in existence, these carbon steel forgings were discovered in unfinished ("brute de forge") condition. Forgings back then were created by several rapid poundings rather than one big "whack" as they are today, resulting in scissors that are far more graceful and delicate. Each pair has been polished and sharpened to perfection in the "monte au moirŽ" tradition. Completed one at a time, the blades are plated with chrome, the handles with pure gold. Each pair of rabbit embroiders scissers comes in a hand-sewn leather pouch. Fewer than 250 of each exist. The Rabbit scissors were popularized around 1950 and measure 4" in length.
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I also found a sewing blog where a woman talks about getting a pair of the rabbit scissors:
http://danitorres.typepad.com/peacockfeather/2005/12/lovely_scissors.html
http://danitorres.typepad.com/peacockfeather/2005/12/lovely_scissors.html
Trapezoidal Art Deco Embroidery Scissors
Century-Old Historical Forgings
Forged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these scissors can never be made again. Created from matrices no longer in existence, these carbon steel forgings were discovered in unfinished ("brute de forge") condition a decade ago by the widow of one of Nogent's finest scissor makers - an artisan who worked the craft of his father and grandfather for 76 years. Finished as a posthumous tribute to this master, each pair has been polished and sharpened to perfection in the "monte au moiré" tradition. Completed one at a time, the blades are plated with chrome, the handles with pure gold. Each pair bears the "69 Crown Medaille D'Or," a mark in continuous existence since 1693, denoting the highest quality in scissor craftsmanship. Protected by a hand-sewn cordovan leather case. Approximately 200 exist of each.
This particular pair doesn't have a number on them
but they cut and feel as fine as the other sets
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| Small Trapizoidal Art Deco Pair |
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| Larger Trapizoidal Art Deco Pair with Case |
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| Rabbit |
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| The Number 3 on Rabbit Scissors |
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| Rabbit Scissors with Case I could tell this pair had been used whereas the other three pairs seemed like they had never been touched. |
Close up of Crown Stamp on Case
69
Medeille D'Or
FRANCE
I am doing this post, so if anyone knows more about these types of Scissors, could you let me know what you know. Mainly I am just curious. I am a seamstress and I also make quilts. These scissors came to a good home and are most appreciated.
Happy Sewing
Melissa Abbott
2 comments:
I purchased 3 Medaille d' Ore scissors in leather cases. I also bought 3 of the embroidery scissors, rabbit, stork and 1 other style which are marked Andre Tisserand, also made in France, about 10 years ago all from an upscale catalog. They were not cheap. I have large dressmaker fabric shears for which I paid $119. The smaller 5" scissors were under $1oo and a small embroidery scissors also under $100. These 3 are all marked Medialle d' Ore, France and were sold as a limited supply item. The rabbit embroidery scissors were much less money. The Medaille d'Ore scissors are fabric scissors. Cutting paper or other things with them will make them dull.
I did take pictures but didn't see a way to add them. I'm certain I kept the page from the catalog but don't know where it is right now.
Lynn
Informative blog!
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