Layette Pincushion
1784 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Layette pincushions are just one type of these objects: pincushions in general have been available since at least the 17th century, and were once of much greater importance sartorially than they are now because pins were used to fasten garments, as well as for needlework and lace-making.
Layette pincushions were given as presents to women who had newly or recently born babies. They were in theory useful as well as symbolic, because even baby clothes in the UK were often fastened with ordinary pins until the successful marketing of the safety pin in the 1870s.
In some areas it was considered very unlucky to give the pincushion before the birth: not only was this over confidence that the outcome would be successful, but there was a superstition about pins and birth pain. 'For every pin a pain' and 'More pins, more pain' were traditional sayings, and some women would remove all the pins, no matter how elaborate the pattern.
Layette pincushions were given as presents to women who had newly or recently born babies. They were in theory useful as well as symbolic, because even baby clothes in the UK were often fastened with ordinary pins until the successful marketing of the safety pin in the 1870s.
In some areas it was considered very unlucky to give the pincushion before the birth: not only was this over confidence that the outcome would be successful, but there was a superstition about pins and birth pain. 'For every pin a pain' and 'More pins, more pain' were traditional sayings, and some women would remove all the pins, no matter how elaborate the pattern.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cotton with cotton fringing, pins |
| Brief description | Layette pincushion, baby's, ivory-coloured cotton, with the words 'Health to the Little Stranger', made in England, 1784. |
| Physical description | Baby's layette pincushion, of ivory-coloured twilled cotton woven with a self-coloured stripe, the fabric used to make the pincushion with the stripes running horizontally. The front of the pincushion is stuck with hand made pins to show an inscription, with a pair of voided hearts and an enclosed crown above, a tree to one side, and a flower and a coronet beneath, accompanied by two sets of initials and the date. The pincushion is edged with matching cotton fringing, and has a plain back. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | With B.2, 4-2009, part of Lot 569 in the Sale of the Roger Warner Collection at Christie's South Kensington, 20-21 January 2009. The three pieces combined were bought for a total of £579.38, so notionally £193.13 each. |
| Historical context | Roger Warner (1913-2008) was a well respected antiques collector as well as dealer. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Layette pincushions are just one type of these objects: pincushions in general have been available since at least the 17th century, and were once of much greater importance sartorially than they are now because pins were used to fasten garments, as well as for needlework and lace-making. Layette pincushions were given as presents to women who had newly or recently born babies. They were in theory useful as well as symbolic, because even baby clothes in the UK were often fastened with ordinary pins until the successful marketing of the safety pin in the 1870s. In some areas it was considered very unlucky to give the pincushion before the birth: not only was this over confidence that the outcome would be successful, but there was a superstition about pins and birth pain. 'For every pin a pain' and 'More pins, more pain' were traditional sayings, and some women would remove all the pins, no matter how elaborate the pattern. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.3-2009 |
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| Record created | March 18, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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