Pin cushion of embroidered satin, England, 1650-1699 Object Type
This pin cushion characterises the style of embroidery of the 1660s and 1670s. The preference is for mainly metal threads worked over thick padding, giving a heavy three-dimensional effect. The embroidery design is quite architectural, incorporating stylised floral patterns. Small, rectangular pin cushion of deep purple satin embroidered with silver gilt and silver thread with metal cord and purl inlaid work with some padding. It is also embroidered with some coloured silks in satin stitch. The edges are bound with a silver gilt braid and at each corner are tassels of purple ribbon and silver gilt and silver thread attached to wooden balls wrapped in silver thread. Both sides of the pin cushion have closely packed floral borders. In the centre of once side is a pot of flowers and in the centre of the other, a crowned wreath enclosing a monogram. British Galleries: PURSE AND PIN CUSHIONS
By 1680 women used fewer pins for their clothing than in 1600. As a consequence, these pin cushions are much smaller than those used earlier. Their dense, metal thread embroidery also leaves little room for pins.The display of luxury trinkets such as these in a lady's dressing room provoked contemporary writers to mock such extravagance. [27/03/2003]