Antique German Westfalia No. 7 Miniature Hand-Crank Sewing Machine c.1900

A beautiful antique German miniature hand-crank sewing machine, manufactured by Carl Sieper (CASIGE) of Gevelsberg, Germany, dating to approximately 1900–1910.

This wonderfully decorative little machine is the Westfalia No. 7, featuring an elegant black-painted metal body adorned with colourful Art Nouveau floral transfers depicting red poppies, delicate yellow flowers, green foliage and gilt detailing. The decoration extends across the machine's body and distinctive scalloped pedestal base, creating a particularly attractive example of early German sewing machine design. The machine retains its large hand-operated wheel with black handle, exposed metal gearing, upright spool holder, thread tension mechanism, needle and polished metal sewing plate.

The circular manufacturer's emblem is marked 'WESTFALIA – ges. gesch.', the latter being an abbreviation of the German gesetzlich geschützt, meaning legally protected. The sewing plate is stamped 'Made in Germany'. Manufactured by Carl Sieper, whose company became known as CASIGE, these miniature sewing machines were designed for children to learn basic sewing skills. Despite their small size, they were made with functioning mechanical components rather than being purely decorative toys.

Today, these charming early machines are sought after by collectors of antique sewing equipment, miniature sewing machines and traditional haberdashery.

A lovely piece of early 20th-century sewing history, with its colourful poppy decoration making it particularly appealing for display.