Thimble case of non-ferrous metal cast in shape of a walnut. Identical halves of walnut are hinged at one end and fitted with a clasp at other. Hollow interior is furnished with pink satin lining with concavity in one half for holding a thimble (missing). Hanging ring soldered to clasp end.
Inked calligraphic label reads: "THIMBLE CASE /made 1902" on one side and "Presented by: / S. Cecilia Sener" on other.
Provenance
Donor is stated to be S. (Sarah) Cecilia Sener, a single woman who was a dressmaker, cigarmaker, etc. in Lancaster, PA. She lived Jan 13, 1856 - Feb 11, 1936, is buried in Lancaster Cemetery and last living at 138 N. Water St.
Cast silver wax holder in shape of a small walnut. Identical halves of nut are attached at one end and partially open at the other. Interior is filled with beeswax for drawing thread through, and multiple score marks are evident in wax. Hanging ring at fixed end.
This needlework roll or "Housewife" is a handmade pieced storage case having five pockets of four diffferent cotton prints sewn onto one side of a length of fabric. Outer fabric is a polka dot print on blue. Bound with a 1/4" wide cotton binding of a floral print on white ground.
Several small holes and weak spots, especially in blue print.. Splits in the lower red pocket. Areas of strong soiling, especially on binding and the upper red pocket.
Object ID
2015.999.18
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Spherical pincushion of small pieced woolen patches of solid brown, blue, red and black. Large black triangles alternate with blocks of a 4-patch diamond on a red square. Four-patch is blue and light brown. Decorated with off-white silk ribbon 1/4' wide, encircling the ball several times. A tassel of 0.5" wide ribbon at one side. Soft cotton stuffing.
Old paper note written in small script is stitched to pincushion. It reads: "Presented to / Mary N Hostetter / by her / Grandmother / Nissley in 1872".
Attributed to Elizabeth Kraybill Nissley (1812-1894).
Provenance
Research: Mary N. Hostetter (6 Oct 1864 - 20 Mar 1932) married Joseph H. Habecker and lived in Mount Joy area. Parents were Jonas E. Hostetter and Barbara Nissley of Mt. Joy area. Nissley grandparents were Elizabeth Kraybill Nissley (1812-1894) and Jacob Kraybill Nissley.
Grandmother Elizabeth Kraybill Nissley gave the pincushion to Mary in 1872 when she was 8 yrs. old and grandmother was 60.
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.
A) Pair of scissors 4.5" x 1.75", plain with serpentine "legs" connecting blades to oval finger rings.
B) Belt clip formed with artfully coiled wire, silver?, has two light chains attached via small rings. Ring-shaped hooks at other ends. Overall length is 14".
