Victorian
Cast Iron 2-Tier Thread Stand
This wonderful antique sewing accessory
combines elaborate Victorian design with practicality and function. The
only other example I have ever seen is pictured in Gay Ann Rogers An Illustrated
History of Needlework Tools (plate 133). With pins to hold 24 spools
of thread, a bottom tray to hold thimbles or needlework tools of any sort, and
a top piece that was most likely meant to be made into a pincushion, this gold-wash
over red and black painted cast iron thread stand is both fancy and functional.
It measures about 10" tall, and is a decorative way to store and display many
spools of colored thread.
Very Good..........$425.00 SOLD!
Unusual
Cast Brass / Bronze Sewing Bird
No longer are sewing birds what you would
call common, but certainly the stamped brass ones tend to be those that are
more frequently available. If you have been at it for a while you know
that the fun of assembling any collection is in adding pieces that are distinctly
different from the others. If you have all the common forms of sewing
birds and you are looking for something that is definitely different, then this
one is bound to fit the bill. There is no doubt that this sewing
bird was made by an individual and probably done in the interest of economy---"Honey,
I can make you one of those!" The body of the bird is nicely executed
and shows the attention to detail of an artist with its cross-hatched lines
to simulate the feathers and two little bird eyes. The bird as well as
the pincushion holder have that certain charm exhibited by early hand-made pieces.
The clamping beak is strong and sturdy and was made to do the job. I can't
tell exactly what the metal that was used is, but it appears to be cast of a
brass or bronze alloy and has a nice dark untouched patina.
Very Good..........$195.00 SOLD!
Figural
Dog Sewing Clamp
The sewing
clamp became the 19th century seamstress' third hand. Fastened to a work
table, it acted as a vise of sorts to securely hold the fabric being worked,
enabling it to be held taut while being hand-stitched. Manufacturers
promoted the health-related benefits of these products, claiming they eliminating
rounded shoulders and stooped backs while sewing, but clearly for the lady of
comfortable means who could afford it, these needlework tools were pieces of
art that were treasured symbols of status and were often given as tokens of
love. Far rarer than the numerous variations of "sewing birds" were clamps in
the shapes of animals and other mythological creatures. Undoubtedly the
figural dog clamp is one of the most sought-after of all the figural needlework
clamps, and this puppy has been my personal favorite for years!
The body of this example displays fine nickel-over-brass patina as well as excellent
detail. The black silk fabric pincushion cover has been replaced, with
the cushion itself being original. If you are a collector of antique needlework
tools, this is the piece that will put you in the top of your class!
Very Good..........$1295.00 SOLD!
Antique
Cast Iron Embroidery Hoop Clamp
This is one of the neatest antique sewing
tools I have ever used! It clamps on to the edge of the table or the arm
of a chair and holds any size embroidery hoop, allowing for nearly infinite
adjustments of angle by means of a ball and socket joint. Once you use
one of these to hold your handwork you will wonder how you ever got along without
it! It is great looking and portable, so use it for quilting, cross-stitch,
embroidery, rug hooking, or whatever kind of needlework you do.
Very Good..........$75.00 SOLD!
Pink
Glass Sock/Stocking Darner
This 5 1/2" closed pontil example is a
lovely shade of pink, which probably would have photographed truer if I had
used a white background rather than the light blue one I chose.
Very Good..........$55.00 SOLD!
Petite
Brass Sewing Bird
This dainty example of the classic sewing
bird form, with an unusual feather pattern design on the body, measures a mere
2 3/4" from beak to tail, and just 1 3/8" from wing to wing. It is significantly
smaller than the size that is most familiar to needlework collectors, and I
have often wondered if it was meant to be used by a young child learning domestic
arts. It is guarantee old and genuine.
Very Good..........$195.00 SOLD!
Brass
Victorian Sewing Bird
Perhaps the most classic of all sewing
bird forms, this graceful example has a wonderful unpolished patina that only
age can impart. Unlike those imported reproductions which can be found
on the market, this piece is guaranteed to be a genuine American antique.
The richly detail stamped-brass bird body measures3 1/2" from beak to tail,
and 2" from wing to wing.
Very Good..........$195.00 SOLD!
Bone
Tatting Shuttle and Bone Winder
These two pieces date from an era when
sailors with too much time on their hands at sea would fashion needlework tools
out of available materials as gifts for their sweethearts at home. Both
of these pieces are bone. The tatter measures about 3 1/2" long and is
nicely crafted and in super condition with no dings or chips or flaws.
The winder is more crudely made but well thought out in design and fully intact.
These two needlework tools are ready to go back to work or on display.
Very Good..........$35.00 / pr. SOLD!
Metal
"Three Feet-in-One" Shoe Sewing Tape Measure
This humorous early 20th century
American-made figural metal tape measure is one in a series of five. This
example is in real nice condition---the tape pulls out and retracts as it should
and shows little sign of wear.
Very Good..........$95.00 SOLD!
Ruby Red Glass Sock or Stocking Darner The shape of this one is really different! How many times have you wondered how many of these pieces must have rolled off the table and broken? The manufacturer of this 4 1/2" piece solved that problem by designing a form with a flattened "head" to enable it to stand upright on its own. My photo is a horrible depiction of the color, which is actually a wonderfully vivid ruby red! If you are interested in it let me know and I will get you a better photo.
Very Good..........$65.00 SOLD!
2
Mechanical Clamp-on Pinking Machines
Both are in nice condition. Both are
sharp and ready for use. The one on the left cuts a simple zigzag but
the cutting wheel is not terribly sharp and you have to crank down the tension
all the way to get it through cotton fabric---not one you are going to be able
to use on felt or heavy fabrics. The one on the right cuts a fancier triple
scalloped zigzag design and should be able to handle most any job.
Very Good..........$195.00 SOLD!
Very Good..........$245.00 SOLD!
Antique
Shaker-Style Thread Holding Box
This combination pincushion / thread holder / sewing box is clean and
simple in appearance, with just three thread gimlets on the
front and one on each side. Very classy and in really nice condition!
Very Good ......... $95.00 SOLD!
Early
Inlaid Walnut Thread Stand / Pincushion
This antique spool holder is nicely crafted with inlaid strips of
contrasting wood, a rounded front drawer, and spool pins made from unusual nails
that have rounded raised heads, which I believe are original to it. The
box portion measures about 4 1/2" square, and it stands 7" tall to the top of
the pincushion.
Very Good ......... $75.00 SOLD!
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