Wood sewing notion with Federal era ball feet supporting a three-tiered spool holder. Each tier is flat on the bottom with rounded top edges, round shape, descend in size. Metal rods on each tier to hold spools. Tiers graduate from large to small and are supported by a ball and ring-turned pedestal; the top tier is the smallest and capped with a pin cushion.
Provenance
Possibly Willson family. Obtained from the Willson-Rettew estate sale.
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.
