Round, flat pincushion with beadwork top and bottom, done on a black felt ground. One side has a 6-petal green flower centered within 2 concentric bands, 1 red and 1 blue, with white edging. Opposite side has a centered 4-petal pink & green flower with repeating conforming lines within two bands, 1 red and 1 blue, with white edging. Pink silk, 0.5" wide, encircles outer sides of pincushion. Stuffed with white wool.
Large pincushion, top fabric is a light brown velvet; bottom fabric is a stiff, glazed red fabric. The outline of the cushion is a scalloped edge to which has been added a protruding, stiff rust-colored fabric. Beaded fringes further adorn this edging.
The greatest effort is spent on decorating the top with a garish assortment of various types of clear bead roping and massed up "flowers" with added colored beads of green, red, amber, and blue. Snaking beadwork running across the center is a stem or vine terminating with beaded leaves. Additional beaded leaves are clustered around the scalloped perimeter of top. Various pins inserted into top, including one with a clear spiraling glass head and two with berry shaped heads of twisted red yarns and gold threads. Stuffing is quite heavy and dense.
Provenance
The pincushion was owned by the donor's grandmother.
Small child's scissors in custom leather case. Steel scissors, conventional shape, joined by a rivet and is 2.5" in length. Fitted two-part brown leather case comprised of an oblong single-folded leather piece lined with green satin and stitched at one side is a small leather scabbard that receives scissor blades. Black ribbon pull-string attached at fold. This folded case slides into open end of a brown leather sheath with cardboard interior. Multicolor flowers painted on one side.
Scissors has light corrosion overall. Pull string broken from one side of folded insert. Outer sheath is breaking along one side; bottom corner has small break; side with flowers is very faded with small stains and abrasions.
Object ID
W.2000.011.001
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Child's thimble of non-ferrous metal classic form with domed top. Dimpled exterior with plain and textured bands above base. Marked "2" on plain band near base.
Note inside reads: "Used by 3 yr old Alice Reynolds Ehler deceased child of Charles and Laura Ehler Lancaster Penna."
Charles Leland Ehler (3-6-1858 to 3-5-1904) is buried in Woodward Hill Cemetery and his wife is "calculated" to be Laura B. Trout Ehler, born 1859, according to Findagrave.com. Charles is listed as a bookkeeper in various City Directories. Found no evidence of progeny.
Tatting shuttle of mother of pearl, loaded with white thread. End of thread has two tatted rings. Tatting shuttle is torpedo shape with two thin plates of mother of pearl shell positioned 1/8" apart and held in place with two iron rivets. Exterior of both plates have engraved checkerboard pattern except for sprig of flower within a central circle and two bordering bands at perimeter, one a chain of dots and alongside is a running cable pattern. Two drilled holes at each end of each plate with unknown purpose.
Paper label accompanies shuttle with "TATTING SHUTTLE" written in ink in a caligraphic hand.
Some soil on mother of pearl. Several small nicks on edge. LIght scratches on engraved surfaces, some created at time of manufacture when rivets were smoothed.
Pair of knitting needles (A & B) made of hand-carved hardwood, perhaps hickory. Both are gently curved throughout length, with B having a stronger curve. Pointed at one end and a crudely and abruptly carved enlargement at other end. No apparent finish, although slight polish from use.
Pin cushion with a compressed drum shape having leather-clad fabric of reddish-brown comprising the top and bottom and a band of light red silk or satin covering the sides. About 23 pins inserted into sides, including three that have globular heads. Undetermined stuffing.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Significant losses to leather, particularly at edges where it joins side band. Side band fabric is faded and worn with pin holes and one larger moth? hole of about 1/16".
Object ID
G.05.15.16
Credit
Gift of Susan Garofola in memory of Lillian Kiker (mother), Heritage Center Collection
Thimble of miniature but conventional shape, cast, non-ferrous alloy with silvery plating.
Child-sized thimble has very indistinct indentations on domed top and upper 2/3 of sides and a plain band on lower third. Rim at bottom has a pronounced raised edge. Vertical casting seams on opposite sides. Inscriptions: Each side of plain band has raised lettering with "FOR A/ GOOD GIRL."
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Needle and pin case in sun bonnet form with off-white finely woven sheer cotton or silk. Rigid visor of light cardboard is covered with fabric and folds at top. Cap section is gathered at neck. Trimmed with four pink satin bows and a strawberry of emory covered with silk and embroidery on short string at crown. Metal snap closure inside visor.
Interior of visor has attached strip of twill wool with sawtooth edge. Pins and needles are inserted and stored in this fabric.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
