19th century dark brass sewing bird with apricot velvet cushions

“Sewing Bird” from the mid-19th century. These delightful accessories clamp to a table edge, and the bird’s beak opens to hold the fabric, making it easier to embroider. This one is brass tarnished to a deep bronze; it could be polished but has a lovely patina.The stamp on the wings reads “PATENTED FEB 15 1853″ and it’s definitely an older model since it is heavy for its size, the patterns are deeply engraved and the quatrefoil at the bottom has the characteristic notch.

The condition is excellent except for slight wear to the velvet cushions. Every inch of the metal is covered with intricate repoussé patterns of floral and geometric motifs. The screw clamp works smoothly and the squeeze-hinge to open the bird’s mouth works easily.

Overall, it measures 4-7/8″ high from the top pincushion to the bottom of the clamp; the bird is about 3-3/4″ long and 2” across the wings.

SOLD