19th century dark brass sewing bird with peach velvet cushions

“Sewing Bird” from the last quarter of the 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 a tarnished dark brass; it could be polished but has a nice patina.The very faint stamp on the wings reads “PATENTED FEB 15 1853″ but it’s definitely not from the 1850s since it is not as heavy as older birds and the engraved patterns are shallow compared to older birds.  The quatrefoil at the bottom is symmetrical without the notch typical of older models.

The condition is very good except for wear to the velvet cushions (the smaller top cushion has a circle of velvet worn completely away) and a missing flat, round plate at the top of the screw clamp. The quatrefoil is slightly bent. 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.