Portrait of a woman with a young girl holding a sewing bird
Portrait of a woman with a young girl holding a sewing bird
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- A sewing bird is a type of needlework table clamp that supports a bird on its top. The lower body of the bird is stationary while the upper body is hinged, and there is a spring in the tail. When the upper and lower tail ends are squeezed together, the beak opens, allowing the edge of a fabric to be placed in it. When the tail is released, the beak closes on the fabric, holding it securely while the sewer pulls it taut for stitching a hem or seam. This particular type of sewing bird, credited to Charles Waterman of Meridian Connecticut, dates from the 1850s and was used for plain sewing rather than fancy needlework. The daguerreotype itself also dates from the mid-19th century, although the maker and subjects are unknown.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Photograph
- daguerreotype
- Date made
- Mid-19th Century
- maker
- unknown
- Physical Description
- metal, copper (overall material)
- glass (overall material)
- wood (overall material)
- leather (overall material)
- fabric, velvet (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 8.1 cm x 9.2 cm x 1.9 cm; 3 3/16 in x 3 5/8 in x 3/4 in
- ID Number
- 2004.0116.01
- accession number
- 2004.0116
- catalog number
- 2004.0116.01
- subject
- Sewing and Knitting
- Girls
- Women
- Portraits
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Photographic History
- Photography
- Textiles
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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