Accession Number

2008.005.009

Alternate Name

hemmingbird

Description

A metal bird on an ornately decorated cast metal clamp with thumbscrew, the bird and clamp coated with deteriorated bronze-powder paint surface-finish, atop of the bird's back a maroon velvet cushion containing metal powder, below the bird's neck a larger maroon velvet pincushion, the bird's body mounted on a sprung hinge so that when the tail is pressed downward the beak opens to allow gripping of fabric when the tail is released. The bird's cast-metal body has a raised feather pattern, the wing marked "Patented Feb 15 1853'.

Narrative

This style of table-mountable "hemmingbird" as it was popularly known in the 19th Century, was sometimes also referred to as a "third hand". The little ball on the bird's back contained metal powder and was known as an "emery". The emery was used to clean corrosion and other contaminants from the surfaces of steel pins and needles. Fabric could be grasped by the bird's mouth to aid the user, and pins could be stored on the cushion below the bird's neck.

History of Use

Unknown

Dimensions

12.5 x 9 cm

Material

Metal; Fabric, silk, velvet

Technique

Cast; Painted