A little chest ... and an amazing contents

[fernando]

A portuguese small chest made of oak wood. Surely old, 18th or even 17th century, judging by the iron work and wooden nails; correction will be gladly accepted.
I wouldn't know its purpose, whether multi use or a specific activity.
Messures are 44 X 30 X 30 cms.
But what it brings this to attention is its interesting contents. Made of bone, i gather these are sweing devices ... needle and all.
Anyone here knows when steel sewing needles appeared or, better, when bone sewing needles were actvive, assuming these are actualy sewing tools ?
The largest one measures 8 cms.

.