Findings and Sewing Implements, Renaissance Amsterdam

First off, I want to applaud the design of Amsterdam's Below the Surface online exhibit. It has a really nice chronological listing of all the artifacts (with an intuitive and powerful search functionality), as well as a virtual copy of the exhibit with tour. So, you can float around looking at the different objects, or follow a highlights tour with labels, or click any item you like to more information, or skim through a time line (and click any item you want for more information). The integration of these different parts--chronological organization, object type display, and a text search function--make it very versatile, and a power research tool.

Anyway, I was browsing artifact timeline, and stumbled upon something very familiar:

Iron garment hook, dated 1350-1650.

A timeless design. I've read about hooks-and-eyes/thread-bars being in use back to the 14th century, but was surprised at how modern the round-wire hook looked (compared to the 19th century versions I've seen, which tend to be flattened rather than truly round).  A moment later, I came across its buddy:

Iron garment fastening eye, dated 1350-1650.

 At which point, my browsing became a scavenger hunt for garment findings and sewing implements.  Like these alternative eye designs:

Iron garment fastening eye, dated 1350-1650.

Brass garment fastening eye, dated 1300-1700.

And some sewing tools:

Brass thimble, dated 1450-1550.

Brass sewing ring, dated 1450-1550.

Silvered brass pin, dates 1400-1700.

Bone needle case, dated 1300-1700.

Iron needle, dated 1300-1875.

Iron scissors, dated 1400-1600.

There are also all manner of buttons, shears, buckles (with and without leather belt fragments), garment hooks, and purse frames/fragments.  It's a really fun, varied exhibit of the detritus of ordinary life from about 1350-2005.  Now if only the Arabia had a similar website...