etui

Etui, from the French étui meaning case or sheath, is a small ornamental container designed to hold a portable set of tools or personal items. In English usage, an etui typically refers to a pocket-sized sewing kit or needle case, though the term can also denote cases for writing implements, cosmetics, or scent.

Historically, etuis were popular from the 16th through the 19th centuries in Europe. They were crafted from materials such as tortoiseshell, ivory, wood, or metal and often decorated with enamel, inlay, engraving, or gilding. A sewing étui would hold needles, pins, a small pair of scissors, a thimble, and thread, while other varieties preserved writing implements or cosmetics. Some larger étuis formed parts of chatelaines or dressing sets, designed to be worn at the belt or carried in a pocket.

In addition to sewing and writing-related forms, cosmetic and scent etuis emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries as portable vanity items, sometimes including tiny bottles, powder, or puffs. The aesthetic and craftsmanship of étuis made them collectibles and status symbols, reinforcing fashion and personal identity.

Today, etui is chiefly used in antique and jewelry contexts to refer to decorative small cases. The term remains a general description for any compact, protective container, and in French it simply means a case or sheath.