Description:
The bird clamps have one pincushion below the birds and another smaller one on their backs.The bottom clamps turn with ease. At some point someone has painted the clamp part but the rest of the bird still has the original Gilding.
The upper portion of the birds are Ormolu while the bottom C clamp portions are engraved brass.
We haven't come across a pair of these before so were quite delighted to find these.
The birds clamp, which you squeeze the tail to make the mouth open to hold cloth works well. The "spring" mechanism is held in place with a tiny nail.
The cloth on the pin cushions has been replaced at some point and was done in a expert manner, they look very nice.
The birds are in excellent condition with a tiny bit of verdigris and measure 4 3/4" high with the clamp screwed all the way in, and are 3 1/2" from beak to tail.
Awesome set to use while hemming, piecing, quilting, a multitude of uses or make a gorgeous display. Ca. 1850. These are pictured in Sewing Tools & Trinkets by Helen Lester Thompson, on page 135.
Just a little ditty about Corduroy, which is what the pin cushions coverings are made from, it was originated in France and can be traced back into the 18th century.
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