Pincushion
Original OwnerOriginally owned by a member of the
Lewis Fox family
MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1870-1910
Medium(a) Lacquered wood (probably mahogany), velvet, silk ribbon, metal, glass, brass rods.
(b) Woven reed, silk ribbon, embossed paper, kidskin leather, steel needles.
(c) Beeswax, remnant of silk ribbon.
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 5 1/2 x 5in. (14 x 12.7cm)
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Richard Koopman and Mrs. Bernard Schiro
Object number1980.87.20a-c
Description(a) Velvet covered pincushion (originally golden yellow colored but now faded to beige) mounted on a turned wooden stand attached to a round base. The wood is stained dark and lacquered; five brass rods designed to hold spools of thread protrude from base. Several metal pins with glass tops in shades of pale pink, green, ruby red, black and white glass are stuck in the pincushion. Three yellow-gold colored satin ribbons hang from pincushion; one holds a velvet ball filled with metal fillings for sharpening needles and pins; a second would have held the needle case and a third the piece of molded beeswax. (b) The needle case, which is no longer attached to the pincushion, is made of a fabric of woven reeds (similar to grass cloth); the case is folded in half and lined with white paper embossed with a leaf motif and edged is kidskin leather. Three pieces of flannel with pinked edges hold three needles. (c) A small piece of beeswax molded in the shape of a cylinder with fluted edges has become detached from its ribbon.
Collections
Status
Not on view
