Work Holder
1807-20 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Cut steel tools were decorated with faceted studs to catch the light like gemstones. They were durable as well as attractive. George Palmer, the maker of this work holder, was a cutler and 'Razor-Maker in Ordinary' to George III, and produced a wide variety of tools in cut steel including penknives and scissors. Cut steel tools were costly, high-status possessions.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cut steel, velvet |
| Brief description | England c.1800; Cut steel. Probably Birmingham or Woodstock. |
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Credit line | Mrs B.M. Gooddy Gift |
| Object history | Cut steel tools were decorated with faceted studs to catch the light like gemstones. They were durable as well as attractive. George Palmer, the maker of this work holder, was a cutler and 'Razor-Maker in Ordinary' to George III, and produced a wide variety of tools in cut steel including penknives and scissors. Cut steel tools were costly, high-status possessions. |
| Historical context | The introduction of cut steel in the eighteenth century greatly expanded the possibilities of luxury-goods manufacturing in Britain. Cut steel was faceted to catch the light, and was durable as well as attractive. This cut steel work holder would have allowed a sewer to keep their fabric taut and straight. This ensured that any cutting or stitching would remain neat and even. This holder was designed to clamp fabric to the edge of a table, with a pincushion on top. |
| Summary | Cut steel tools were decorated with faceted studs to catch the light like gemstones. They were durable as well as attractive. George Palmer, the maker of this work holder, was a cutler and 'Razor-Maker in Ordinary' to George III, and produced a wide variety of tools in cut steel including penknives and scissors. Cut steel tools were costly, high-status possessions. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.27-1997 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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