Antique Red Velvet Strawberry Emery

A small antique strawberry emery made from vivid red velvet, with a softly rounded, pointed form and faded grey-green textile leaves at the top.

The strawberry feels distinctly crunchy when gently handled, indicating that it is likely filled with emery powder rather than soft pincushion stuffing. Emery strawberries were used to clean and sharpen sewing needles and were often kept alongside a conventional pincushion.

Several old pins remain inserted into the velvet, showing how the piece was used. The top is finished with a dark green thread loop, allowing it to be attached to a sewing companion, workbox or larger pincushion.

A pleasingly timeworn example of an antique sewing accessory and an attractive addition to a collection of strawberry emeries and early haberdashery.