Historical information

Hand operated sewing machine made in Germany in the late nineteenth century. Mrs Weiss, a young Templer Lutheran living in Palestine, owned it and took it with her to Heluan, Egypt, where Germans in this region were interned during WWI. Her permission to take it was dependent on her sharing the machine with other internees. When the Templers in Palestine were interned in WWII, the sewing machine accompained Mrs Weiss and her family to Tatura in 1941 on the condition that other imternees would also use it. After the war it was taken to South Australia where its use by Mrs Weiss continued until they replaced it with an electric machine.

Physical description

Wooden case/cover for hand operated sewing machine. Has silver metal collapsible carrying handle and metal keyhole. Has Decorative inlay border on top and around handle. Metal hand operated table top sewing machine, painted black with gold decorative pattern. Hinged to a wooden base. Drawer built into base with sliding panel for holding accessories.

Inscriptions & markings

Kayser, Johannes Weiss, Christine Weiss.