18th Century English Silk Layette Pincushion Dated 1798

We are delighted to have discovered for our early sewing collectors this all original 18^th Century English Silk Layette Pincushion. Dating from the reign of George III and made here in England in the year 1798. 

Pincushions such as these were often made to celebrate a birth, given to both mothers and expectant mothers. Our example is unusual in that the front face is made of crushed raspberry colour pink silk, when usually it would be cream. 

We see a rectangular plain woven silk pincushion very firmly padded with scrunchy wool. The pink front face pinstuck with teeny hand made pins to read:

E A.M 1798 Sweet Baby

The reverse is in a plain cream silk with pinstuck leaves and a rose. Some of the pinstuck designs have been filled in/embroidered in crimson silk thread. From a distance you would think it was brocaded silk, this rather cleverly was the intention. The pincushion has teeny pins around the edges. To the four edges of the pincushion we see the four original silk floss tassels which is sooo rare, usually they are depleted, or missing entirely.

Size: 5 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inch (14 cm by 12 cm by 6 cm)

Condition: Very good, strong and sound but as one would expect showing some gentle signs of its 228 years of age. Old small hole to the top under Baby. A few missing pins here and there. Gentle, natural, expected patina accumulation to both sides from everyday use or handling.

If only we knew who the initials E.A.M belonged to?

Item Id: 16781