Antique Knitted Strawberry Emery with Beaded Seeds

Regular price: £95.00
Sale price: £95.00
Regular price

A wonderfully characterful antique strawberry emery, handmade from rich red velvet and decorated with tiny yellow glass beads representing the seeds.

The softly rounded fruit is finished with layered textile leaves in faded shades of green and ochre. Graduated tones of red and pink create the appearance of a naturally ripened strawberry, while the irregular hand-applied beading gives the piece considerable charm. When gently squeezed, the filling produces a granular crunch consistent with an emery filling. Emery cushions were traditionally used to clean and sharpen sewing needles.

An attractive and tactile addition to a collection of antique sewing tools, strawberry emeries, pincushions or textile folk art.

Product variants

Size/Dimensions

H: 4 cm x L: 3 cm x W: 2.5 cm

Condition

Good antique condition with considerable age-related fading, rubbing and wear to the velvet and textile leaves. Some glass seed beads are missing or loose, with occasional projecting threads and general surface fibres. The colours have mellowed attractively, particularly around the lower section and leaves. The strawberry remains intact and gives a granular crunch when gently squeezed, consistent with an emery filling.

Victorian, likely late 19th century