Jon, you are right about this object, it is a reel stand that held 10 spools, with pincushion. Looks to be made of steel? These items were hugely popular in the Victorian era. The egg-cup shape may have been intended to hold a darning egg. Flora seemed to be drawn to Arts & Crafts/Art Nouveau, but the reel stand has a more contemporary look to it. (from M. Beaudry, author of Findings: The Material Culture of Needlework & Sewing).
Mary, thanks for the information. One quick note, your comment appears under just the photograph and not in the regular part of the post. The rest of the readers might not see it without clicking on the photo itself. Could you repost it under the general comments? Or if you would like, I’ll cut and paste it. Thanks so much for your interest. Jon
Jon, you are right about this object, it is a reel stand that held 10 spools, with pincushion. Looks to be made of steel? These items were hugely popular in the Victorian era. The egg-cup shape may have been intended to hold a darning egg. Flora seemed to be drawn to Arts & Crafts/Art Nouveau, but the reel stand has a more contemporary look to it. (from M. Beaudry, author of Findings: The Material Culture of Needlework & Sewing).
Mary, thanks for the information. One quick note, your comment appears under just the photograph and not in the regular part of the post. The rest of the readers might not see it without clicking on the photo itself. Could you repost it under the general comments? Or if you would like, I’ll cut and paste it. Thanks so much for your interest. Jon
Mary, I reposted it under the main post. Thanks again. j
Might be for lace making or tatting. Pin cushion and cup to hold bobbins. Yarns/threads held by spools.