Antique Carved Cow Bone Pin Cushion / Disc

English * Circa 1870

This antique pin cushion is in disc form and both sides are carved of cow (bovine) bone* with laurel leaf wreath borders and velvet lined circles in the center. It has a green silk cushion around the sides, intact and stuck with some old pins. It's all original.

The condition is excellent with no chips, cracks or other damage. It measures 1 7/8" in diameter and the bone has a glossy old patina. This type of pincushion allowed the pins to be stuck between the layers, sandwich style around the edges, so that it could be dropped into a work bag without snagging other items.  The velvet lined centers had the added advantage of being able to hold needles or pins while sitting on a table beside the stitcher.

*This item is made of bone from a domestic cow (bovine) and NOT from an endangered species or an ivory producing species.

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