Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 10/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: I would like to know if you can give me any information on this particular pin cushion?

ANSWER: Hello Lonnie.  You have a shoe pincushion.  Shoes are collectible in and of themselves, so you item would be cross collectible.  Are thare any marks on the bottom of the shoe?  Is that a signature at the right side of the woman's waist?  Also, take a close look with a magnifier at the face on the vamp of the shoe to see if you came make our tiny dots or brush strokes.  If they are tiny dots, it is a decal.  If there are brush stokes, it is hand painted.  I would venture it is a decal, as this type of pincushion was made for the tourist trade.  I'm not familiar with the face...it could be English Royalty or Royalty of another country.  Perhaps you can identify by searching the internet.  The cushion is probably velvet.  From your picture, the fabric looks to be in good shape.  As to age, it would depend on who the individual is.  Unless, of course, there is a mark like Nippon or Made in Japan or Japan....those marks were used at different times in history.  Hope I've helped some.  Barbara


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The shoe pincushion, actually belongs to my mother.  She would like to sell it, but doesn't know what it is worth.  As far as she can remember, she thinks that her great grandfather brought it home with him from a trip to Europe in 1876.  Thanks for the information that you gave me, and send me anything else that you can dig up.

Answer
Lonnie - I could not give you a value without actually seeing the piece.  Do you live in an area where you have have an antiques dealer look at it?  If not, you may want to search ebay for similar items to see what they sell for.  You may want to take the time to do more research before selling it to make sure you don't give it away at a price that is much lower than it may be worth.  Good luck.  Barbara