The Beaded Pincushion Meant for showing, not sewing Francine Kirsch Beaded pincushions have a long history, from maternity pincushions of the seventeenth century, through Native American examples, to military ones of the twentieth. No matter the era, they were decorative items, meant for showing not sewing. With the continuing popularity of beading as a craft and of Victoriana and Native Americana as collectibles, beaded pincushions remain worthwhile acquisitions. Indian beadwork, in particular, has gotten much attention. Last autumn the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning, N.Y., mounted an extensive exhibition. A 2002 exhibition by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian boasted some 300 examples of Native American beadwork. This is not surprising since those made by Northeastern Indians are arguably the best beaded pincushions, certainly the most coveted by collectors - although confusion exists about whether some were made by Native Americans or by the Victorian women whose knickknacks inspired B One of the earliest pincushions, decorated with pins and dated 1652. From Pins and Pincushions by Eleanor D. Longman, 1911. A mid-18th century pinbeaded example, celebrating a boy’s birth. 6-1/2” x 5”. Used for several generations in the family of Mascie Taylor, of Lymme Hall, Cheshire, where it was set upon a table just before the birth of a child. The words “Luck in a Lad” set in pins express the hope that the child will be a boy. From Pins and Pincushions by Eleanor D. Longman, 1911. This late (1830) maternity pincushion was pinbeaded with a quote from Byron and flowers, 6-1/2” x 4-1/2”. A lily and a rose are set with pins into a cream silk cushion with forget-me-nots on either side. “Hail to this teeming stage of Strife/ Hail lovely miniature of life.” From Pins and Pincushions by Eleanor D. Longman, 1911. Page 28 ■ Antiques Journal ■ March 2010