Images(2)

Embroidered Pincushion

Date1760-1775

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania (possibly)

MediumSilk embroidery threads on linen ground, silk, and steel pins

DimensionsOW 5 1/4" x OL 7"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1959-26

DescriptionThis is a rectangular with concave sides pincushion decorated with wrapped-head steel pins in two sizes. The design consists of a tulip and two other flowers in a pot, and hearts in two corners. The pins are stuck through cream silk taffeta and blue lining (the cream silk is now disintegrated). The reverse is worked in Irish stitch with cream, green, red, and blue silk threads. The front and reverse of the pincushion are whip stitched together.

Stitches: Irish
Label TextDuring the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries it was fashionable to decorate cushions with pin heads, deliberately stuck in patterns, often in floral or heart designs, and sometimes with initials, dates, or phrases. Often the pincushions were presented as gifts for special occasions such as a birth or marriage. This example is backed with silk canvas work in the Irish stitch.
ProvenanceThe box is reputed to have come from the Foulke family of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors supposedly came to America with William Penn in 1682. There are two families with the named Foulke who could have owned this piece. The first family came to America with Thomas Foulke (d. 1714) and his wife, Mary Richardson (d. 1718) in 1677. Thomas was a Quaker and one of nine commissioners sent to America by the proprietors of West Jersey. William Penn was a joint trustee of one of the companies who purchased land from the proprietors. Thomas and his wife were originally from Derbyshire, England and settled in Chesterfield in Burlington County, West Jersey. The second family came to America with Edward Foulke (1651-1741) and his wife, Eleanor (1651-1733) in 1698. Edward and his wife were originally from Wales and settled in Gwynedd in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.