A tapestry thread caddy

The Okains Bay Museum is one of those rare and wonderful finds: unexpected and completely engrossing. 

One man's passion for both Maori and colonial artefacts has led to this superb collection, which you can find on the Banks Peninsula, South Island. it includes items like this rare three tiered thread caddy made from whalebone. The caddy held threads for tapestry, although it is not stated if this was needlework tapestry or weaving tapestry, and came from Christchurch in the 1950s. I wonder that the history of this piece is.

The Museum opens for the summer season in October. If you do happen to visit, let us know if you can find out more about this piece, won't you?