Victorian Era Sewing Bird, Silver Plate

This little bird is in very good condition.  The spring to open the beak works well, the clamp to attach the bird to a work surface may have a very slight bend in it, the screw with heart shaped handle works well.  The bird and clamp are silver plated.  There is still some evidence of white silver polish in the nooks and crannies!  The pin cushion has been replaced, the cup for the pin cushion is brass. 

The sewing bird was invented in the 19^th century to assist ladies with their hand sewing.  The fabric could be put into the bird's beak and there it would be held taut.  The sewing machine had not yet come to be and having that third hand to hold fabric was a great help!  The patent was obtained by Charles Waterman on Feb 15, 1853 though he had been selling them for a while prior to this.  Not long after, the sewing bird took a romantic turn.  Young men began presenting their brides to be with a sewing bird months before the wedding so that she could sew the necessities for her trousseau.  As she was sewing she would be reminded of her beloved….