Antique Victorian Stuffed Cloth Seed Beads Decorated Heart Shaped Pincushion
Description: This is a beautiful, most likely handmade, antique Victorian heart shaped pincushion. The pincushion, which is made of velvety material on the front and colored material on the back, is decorated with seed beads at the edges of the heart. These have colors such as white, blue and red. In addition, the seed beads and other larger glass beads are used to make decorative tassels which are attached to the bottom and sides of the heart as well as to the top. There is also a beaded, what I would call chain from which one can hang the pin cushion. The color of the front of the cushion used to be red or purple but has faded to a dirty brownish-purple as did most of the colored seed beads and many of the glass beads. The back of the cushion, which was obviously never subject to sun tight, is a dark blue with a red border. This is a truly nice old piece that is an exceptionally good condition for such an old utilitarian piece made of cloth and sewed beads. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain but most likely mid to late 1800s.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size:The heart measures ~4 1/4" at its longest, 4 1/4" at its widest and is 1 1/8 thick".
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Very nice old pincushion, which would make a great addition to any collection.
Condition: The pincushion is in great condition with no rips, repairs, or losses of beads that we could find. The only issue we see is the fading of the colors on the front, which probably happened because the cushion was hung in the sun. In addition, the piece has areas where some of the nap on the surface of the velvety material in the front has occured, possibly from use. This is supported by the fact that the back still has its colors in good condition and vivid as possibly the day the cushion was made. Please see photos for additional condition information.
