Geneseo Kiwanis Antique Show

What makes me squeak at an antique show?

It wasn’t the gorgeous Hepplewhite table or the stunning tiger-maple cabinet. It wasn’t the incredible display of cut glass that just glowed. It was this tiny seashell pincushion. The velvet cushion didn’t show any sign of being sewn in. Instead, it may have been glued. The front of the velvet had the pin-hole remains of a small, maybe half to three-quarters of an inch, embroidered floral design. Just inside the edge of the shell’s scallops was what looked like a painted strip of gilding.

One of my other favorite things, one I really wish I could have come home with was this paisley shawl. There wasn’t anything particularly special about the center of the shawl. The colors were a different color set than we normally see of shawls coming out of Kashmir in the 1850s. It was also rather thick compared to most mid-century shawls. What was great was the border, then hand embroidered, hand pieced border. The border was made of individual wool pieces each embroidered and attached to the shawl.

There were only a few other paisley type shawls there, several of which were used as tablecloths. One was made into a mid-20th century 2 piece outfit. The presentation also displayed a purse made of another shawl. I think some of my readers with vintage interests will find this interesting:

There were two pieces the seller had labeled as Confederate sympathizer parade flags.

Just below this flag, was this chatelaine….

Of course I was looking for sewing items. One seller had an assortment of Shaker boxes made into sewing boxes. Each was lined with silk. Some had pockets. Some still had their accessories tied in.  There was this one needle-book with each panel in a different silk fabric.

There was one more piece that caught my attention. It was this simple little piece with a very modest little tag compared to the rest of the room.

It is three pieces of pasteboard covered with silk. The edges bound on all sides except one half of one side where there is an opening. It is decorated in the yellow ribbon….. I knew just what it was and where the directions for making it came from…. Any Guesses?

Published in: on October 30, 2011 at 2:08 pm  Comments (7)  

7 CommentsLeave a comment

  1. On October 30, 2011 at 2:22 pm Eileen Hook said:

    But did you BUY anything? 🙂

  2. On October 30, 2011 at 2:27 pm Anna Worden Bauersmith said:

    I wish. I’m completely broke. I window shopped. Mom did buy me one cdv of a woman with a shawl.

  3. On October 30, 2011 at 2:32 pm Eileen Hook said:

    window shopping is always fun – and you get ideas for things you can make. You did take pictures, so you brought stuff home with you – sort of!

  4. On October 30, 2011 at 2:40 pm Deanna said:

    I am guessing it may be what I have seen in “The Girl’s Own Book”, beginning in 1833 and reprinted through the 1850’s and 60’s, known as a Balloon Bag. Used for holding a ball of string or yarn for knitting or netting. Am I right?

  5. On October 30, 2011 at 3:13 pm Anna Worden Bauersmith said:

    Very good Deanna. First guess.
    Another use is as a button holder.

  6. On January 26, 2013 at 3:03 pm DICK PLATT said:

    2013 SHOW DATES- SPRING SHOW== SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH. 10AM-5PM. & SUNDAY, APRIL 7TH. 10AM-4PM….NYS ARMORY, AVON ROAD, GENESEO, NY 14454—FOR ONFO 585-243-0705

  7. On January 26, 2013 at 6:55 pm Anna Worden Bauersmith said:

    Thank you very much for this information. If you happen to have a flier saved as a jpg or PDF, I would be happy to share it i n a blog post. (I’ll email you my address)


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