‘Sewing bird’ helped 19th century women with vital chore

Sewing was an important part of the life of a woman during the 17th and 18th centuries.

There was no sewing machine; everything was hand-stitched. Iron “grippers” were sometimes used to hold one end of the fabric while it was hemmed or embroidered.

An improvement, the first “sewing bird,” was invented by Charles Waterman in 1853. It was made of brass, iron, or later, steel. The tool was clamped to a table and the bird held the fabric taut. It acted like an extra hand.

Improvements were added to this sewing tool, including emery balls to sharpen needles, spool holders, drawers, winding reels for thread, pincushions, thread cutters and clamps made in fancy shapes like dogs, snakes, cherubs or dolphins.

Variations of the sewing tool continued to be made by Singer Sewing Machine Co. until the 1980s. The sewing machine was invented in 1854, but it took many years to sell enough machines so the sewing bird was no longer necessary. Copies are made today mainly for collectors or as decorations.

Early sewing birds were sometimes given as love tokens. The groom-to-be gave a sewing bird to his future bride long before the wedding so she would think of him while she sewed her trousseau. An elaborate 18th-century sewing bird made of brass and iron sold at a Skinner auction in 2016 for $1,046. It had a feathered bird and a pincushion.

Q: How much is a Chanel tortoiseshell purse with gold chain strap worth? It’s stamped with the CC logo and “France 1997.” Sites online say it was a limited edition created by Karl Lagerfeld and rare. I’ve found high prices online, but I’m not sure how accurate they are. I have one in very good condition.

A: This box-shape tortoiseshell purse was part of Chanel’s 1997 Autumn/Winter collection. Karl Lagerfeld is the head designer at Chanel, as well as at Fendi, and has his own label. These bags were made for Chanel’s 1997 Autumn/Winter collection and are hard to find since only a limited number were made. The tortoiseshell purse sells for $3,500 to $4,500, depending on its condition.

Q: My grandmother gave me a tall coffee pitcher. It’s one of the few pieces left from her best china set. The pitcher is 10 inches tall, is decorated with blue flowers and green leaves, and gold trim. The rim and base are scalloped. The bottom is marked “Haviland France” in green and “Haviland Limoges” in red. Is it worth anything?

A: Your Haviland is not a coffee pot. It’s a chocolate pot, designed to serve hot chocolate. Chocolate pots are taller and more slender than coffee pots, which are usually squat. They were most popular during the Victorian era. The Haviland brothers of New York City were importers of china, mostly from England. They moved to France to open a factory in Limoges, which was noted for its high-quality porcelain. Haviland china has been made in Limoges since 1842. Your chocolate pot has the “Ranson” shape, named after Paul Ranson, a factory employee who designed it. Ranson worked at the factory from 1890 to 1893. Ranson shapes were decorated with floral designs and were made until the French factory closed in 1931. The marks on your chocolate pot were used by Haviland from 1893 until 1926, so your pot was made during that time. It’s worth about $100 to $200.

Q: I’m downsizing and want to sell my dining-room furniture. It’s made of maple and is marked “A genuine Cushman Colonial Creation made in Bennington, Vermont.” I have a table with two leaves, hutch, six chairs and a wet sink. How much do you think I can get at a sale?

A: The H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Co. was in business in North Bennington, Vermont, from 1892 to 1971, when it was bought by Green Mountain Furniture. The company was founded by Henry Theodore Cushman. The furniture probably won’t sell in antiques sales, but a house or garage sale could be good. You should get about one-third the price of comparable new furniture if your set is in great condition.

Q: I found a glass cruet etched with a cascading flower design and the word “catsup” on the front. It’s about 7 5⁄8 inches tall and has a glass stopper. The bottom is marked “Hawkes” with the trefoil stamp and “Patented Oct. 6, 1914.” I’ve seen some online with a silver stopper. Can you tell me anything about my cruet and what it’s worth?

A: Thomas Gibbons Hawkes immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland in 1862. He worked for a cut-glass company in Corning, New York, before starting his own firm, T.G. Hawkes &Company, in 1880. The company cut blanks made at other glass companies. Hawkes was in business until about 1962. Not all Hawkes glass was marked. The mark adds value. Cruets like yours are being offered at $50 to $100, but most sell for $30 or less.

Q: I have a two-bladed pocket knife I think is quite old. It’s marked “Solingen, Germany” on one side of the blade and “Arnex, stainless” on the other side. Both side panels are embossed with three heads of racehorses, horseshoes and riding crops. My late wife worked for a horse farm owner who gave it to her for me. Is it worth keeping?

A: Solingen, Germany, is known as the “City of Blades.” It has been the center of knife-making in Germany since the Middle Ages and home to several manufacturers of knives, swords and cutlery. Arnex was in business in Solingen from about 1920 to 1940. Some pocket knives made by Arnex have handles decorated with animals, sports, trains, zeppelins and other themes. The value of your pocket knife is under $25.

Copley News Service

Current prices

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Christmas postcard, Santa Claus, seated at desk, working on his list, candlestick, maroon coat, c. 1905, $20.

Copper chestnut roaster, squat pot, round lid with reeded edge, openwork collar, flat tapered handle, loop end, 21 x 9 inches, $40.

Wine glass, venetian glass, deep red and gold gilt, menorah and star of David design, twist stem, marked, Murano, 1950s, 5 1/4 inches, $145.

Champagne tap, soda, two parts, treaded shaft, removable needle, round ribbed wooden handle, c. 1900, 6 1/2 inches, $160.

Celluloid letter opener, page turner, cream-colored, girl in bonnet finial, carved leaves, England, 1920s, 10 inches, $215.

Sterling pepper pot, baluster shape, embossed roses and leaves, cartouche, pineapple and scroll design, flared foot, 1800s, 4 x 2 inches, $475.

Boxing trophy, figural, De Molay Championship, silver plate boxers, engraved, Hollenbeck Chapter, wood base, 1933, 13 x 11 inches, $700.

Violin, Mathias Heinicke, cherrywood, strings intact, clasic shape, scrolled top, lined case, marked, Czechoslovakia, 1922, $900.

Football helmet, dog ear model, black leather, chin strap, interior padding, Red Grange, Wilson, 1920s, $1,005.

Sideboard, gothic, walnut, linen fold panel doors, columns, carved monkeys, relief sculpted tracery, swirl apron, 1800s, 47 x 62 inches, $2,100.