Images(2)

Pin Cushion

Periodca. 1790 - 1820

MediumLinen, plied silk thread, printed cotton, wool, and steel pins

Dimensions1.13 × 3.75 × 2.38 in. (2.9 × 9.5 × 6 cm)

InscribedThe pincushion includes three sets of initials, reading "RS," "SS," and "MS."

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of William H. Conover, 1938

Object number1233

DescriptionA small rectangular pin cushion constructed of loosely woven brown linen, embroidered in plied silk threads in forest green, brick red, pale sky blue, pale pink, dark brown, golden tan, and oyster white. The front of the pin cushion includes three sets of initials, including "RS," "SS," and "MS," and several small single design elements including a stylized tulip, a small strawberry, and a heart. On the back of the pin cushion, several horizontal lines of cross stitch banding are worked within a small cross stitch border. Along one long side, a strawberry repeat band appears. The embroidered linen is stretched tightly over the underlayer, comprised of a scrap of what appears to be a brown and red on white 18th century printed cotton floral fabric. The short ends of the linen are worked in a variety of openwork chain stitching. The cushion may be stuffed with wool. Scattered over both sides of the cushion are forty coil headed steel straight pins.
Curatorial RemarksAfter completing several years of sewing and needlework instruction, women used their skills not only for constructing garments and household furnishings but also for enjoyable small projects. This little pin cushion may well have been made as a gift for a relative. The inclusion of three sets of initials, "RS," "SS," and "MS," may indicate it was made for a mother or sister. Pin cushions were practical items not only for sewing but for keeping pins near at hand to fasten garments such as bodices, caps and shawls. One of the fascinating side notes to this charming little pin cushion is that it contains no less than forty coiled or wound head steel pins scattered on both sides. These particular pins may have been dressing pins, used by their owner as closures and fastenings for garments and accessories. Wire wound head pins were made from the Medieval era through the early 19th century. In a process with up to eighteen separate steps, a good pin maker could turn out approximately twenty pins a day. In America, wound head pins continued to be used until 1836, when fully mechanical pinmaking processes were invented that made the rapid fabrication of flat head pins possible.NotesAlthough the maker of this beautifully made little pin cushion has not been identified, it may have descended within the Conover family of Monmouth County, New Jersey.

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