Six-piece sewing kit, composed of a clam-shell-type, blue leather case with stamped gold trim. Case has eight sides and lid is hinged with spring activated clasp. Interior has ivory-colored velvet in bottom section and satin on lid. Bottom section has recessed cavities that conform to the shape of each of the following sewing equipment:
1. Scissors, polished steel blades, gold-plated non-ferrous metal handles, marked "NOGENT" and "34" on blades. Gold finish is worn. Length: 4" Perhaps made by Nogent in France
2. Thimble, gold finish, bottom 1/3 of sides has diamond shapes on a ground of wavy lines. Unmarked.
3. Awl or stiletto, round steel shaft set onto handle of gold-plated non-ferrous metal. Gold finish worn. Length: 3.75"
4. Crochet-type hook, round steel shaft w/ minute hook at end, set onto handle as above. Gold finish worn. Length: 3.875"
5. Flat needle/bodkin for threading ribbon, etc.; slot and adjacent hole at one end and near point at other. Gold finish worn on non-ferrous metal. Fits into elastic loop in case. Length: 2.25"
6. Needle case of gold-plated non-ferrous metal, conventional shape. Main body has 0.5"-long fitted cap. The flattened sides are stamped with a pattern of wavy lines. Length: 2" Width: 0.25" Thickness: 0.125"
Inscriptions: No marking noted on anything except for scissors, "NOGENT." Internet search reveals Nogent as a cutlery factory near the village of Nogent in NW France. Although this factory seems to have begun in 1923, the area around Nogent has been a "cradle of cutlery making" for three centuries.
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.
Needlework family register, cone in black cross stitch on canvas. A large pink fabric rose is attached to each corner with three smaller roses at the top, all with green fabric leaves and stems. The heading at the top reads "The/Family of/ Noah and Katie Fisher," then lists the names and birthdates of the parents and children (Rachel, Emma, Betsie, Salome, Amos, Susie, and Aaron). At the bottom is the following inscription: "When this you see remember me/Susie Fisher/ 1910", with orange and black diagonal lines above and below the date. The piece is currently in a simple wood frame with gold leaf.
(Written by Scott Sagar.)
Provenance
Stitched by Susie Fisher. This piece was purchased at the Mary H. Fisher sale held at Paradise Fire Hall, April 19, 1989. Given by Dr. & Mrs. Donald M. Herr.
There are small light brown spots over the entire surface. There are a few dead insects in the fabric roses. The gold leaf has chipped away in a few spots.
April 7, 2004- Replaced backing with acid free & removed insect carcasses for 2004 exhibit.
Wool work picture of a basket of flowers on a buff cotton background in a frame. A wide range of stitches was use, including satin stitches and French stitches. Brown, lattice-worked basked holds a very full arrangement of variegated flowers in bright hues. Flower types include tulips, carnations, forget-me-nots and a tiger lily. The arrangement also has leaves and branches. The double frame is molded and deep and woolwork is covered by old bubbled glass. The cotton background is stitched to an underlying fabric whit is in turn glued to the cardboard backing.
Inscription on reverse of cardboard backing is faintly printed in pencil:
WORKED IN WOOL BY MARY
BRINTON LEACOCK TOWNSHIP
IN PENNSYLVANIA 1849
(Written by William Carter.)
Provenance
Stitched by Quaker Mary Brinton in 1849.
Bought at sale at Brinton property by Vernon Gunnion. Same as drawing by Susan Brinton (P.96.11.1) 259-A Mascot Rd.
Flat tin 6-pointed star pattern or template with1/2" diameter hole at center. Used for creating raised, sculpted plushwork (see Amish Arts by Patricia Herr, pp. 44-55).
Sewing kit, rectangular box shape consists of folding exterior of black-brown leather that wraps around an inner box of rigid leather covered sides that has a flap lid with snap closure. Inner box and outer wrap both covered with the same pliable black-brown leather with pink satin lining. Wrap has stitched compartments inside as well as three graduated size rectangular flaps of fabric for holding pins & needles. Top flap embroidered with pink floral design.
Box inside has empty interior except for a corner loop for holding a 1) thimble of non-ferrous, darkened metal (long oblique crack on side continues along nearly-flat top; flattened shape) and 2) an inexpensive ferrous metal scissors having stamped scrolls on handles.
Inscriptions: Paper label found in case w/ leather residue on reverse says "Shaker Chrome Leather." This was likely the name of the leather finish of this case.
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 thread case, heart shape. Folded paper form creating six flat sections appears to be a geometric heart when closed with top strap fitted with snap closure. Exterior covered with dark blue silk with white polka dots. Interior lined with dark blue silk. Efge embroidered with button hole stitch in red.
Interior fitted with six straps of white elastic for holding small cards of thread or pieces of fabric pierced with needles and pins. Currently holds three small color-printed cards of white, blue-green and blue thread as well as one swatch of fabric with needles and pins.
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.
Percussion pistol; octagonal iron barrel becomes round at muzzle end. It is 3 1/2 inches long. Full-length stock is faux-grained maple. Percussion lock is moderately decorated with engraving and is marked on plate: "DREPPERD/ LANCASTER."
Brass t
Provenance
01/23/95 - Purchase from Vernon Gunnion 2002 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 7173947527
Scratches on wood; scratches and dents on brass. Iron parts are rusted; barrel pitted at lock. Finish on wood is worn at edges; minor wood loss at muzzle end.
Object ID
P.95.01.01
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Small redware cream pitcher of ovoid form with flared lip; pinched spout and applied strap handle; rust covered with heavy mustard colored mottling on interior of rim and lighter mottling on exterior. "MADE BY BIXLER" hand-printed on bottom in white.
Copper pint measure or mug. Straight sides taper in toward mouth with rolled lip edge. Strap handle anchored with 2 rivets at top; one at base. Keyed seam beneath handle. Some tinning remains on interior.
Handle is stamped "(E)ICHHOLTZ". Letter "E" is partially hidden at top.
Provenance
Purchased by Gunnions at Conestoga Auction circa March 1986.
Heritage Center purchased from Gunnion Antiques Aug. 1986
Tom Ryan, The Worlds of Jacob Eichholtz., pp. 1-3 and 82.
Henry Kauffman, American Copper and Brass, p. 119.
Height (in)
4.5
Width (in)
4.5
Diameter (in)
3.25
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2013-11-18
Condition Notes
Interior worn with some corrosion. Handle split below top left rivet. Small to significantly larger dents on sides and bottom. Some scratches from general wear. Surface has been polished and lacquered. Some polish residue visible at both the rolled lip and rolled base.
First "H" and "T" of "ichholtz" are very worn.
Object ID
P.86.3
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation.
Redware Salt. Very small shallow pottery bowl with footed base. Brownish-orange with light green stripes on exterior. Tin glaze overall except for underside which has rough tooled surface and inscription "BIXLER" hand printed in white.