Images(2)

Darning Gourd

Dateca. 1860

Owned by Emma Florence LeConte Furman (1847 - 1932)

OriginAmerica, Georgia

MediumGourd

DimensionsOL 3" x Overall Circumference 5 3/4" (L: 10.2cm)

Credit LineGift of Carolyn McMillan

Object number2015-212

DescriptionThis is a small dried hollow brown gourd with neck. It was used as a darning tool by Emma Le C[onte] Furman and descendants.
Label TextIn the nineteenth century, clothing took up a greater proportion of the average person’s budget than it does today. Because of their expense clothing was preserved through careful mending and repair. Egg-shaped darning tools made it easier to mend worn stockings and stocks. Lighter darning tools were favored because they were more convenient and not as tiring as a heavy object in one's hand. Various materials were used for darning tools including light woods, horn, polished immature coconut, and ceramic. A dried gourd made a perfect darning tool because of its lightness and shape.
This darning gourd was owned by Emma Florence LeConte Furman and subsequent family members.

ProvenanceThe darning gourd descended from the original owner, Emma LeConte Furman to her daughter Elizabeth F. Talley; to her daughter Emma Talley Shaw; to her daughter Carolyn Shaw McMillan.