Before the holidays I was up in Maine for a show and purchased a hand-forged iron heart quilting clamp and a couple of old handmade saws from a dealer who always has interesting things, which I believe all came from one collection. Then last weekend I returned to the same spot, and that dealer had added this one (and a few other treasures, too) to his stock. This one is a little larger, and the screw runs the full length of the clamp--looks to me like the work of a different maker than the other, but also 19th century. And seems likely that the finer point on the long tail of this clamp was made to pierce a pin cushion, whether or not there ever was one there I'm not sure. This is only the second of these I've come across out and about, and I'm quite smitten with them now, functional things made special, labors of love, and nice valentines now I'd say, which one might clamp to all sorts of things. Feels rather metaphorical/symbolic too.
6 1/2" x 3 5/8" x 7/16" Very good antique condition, a substantial feeling object, bold loosens, tightens and turns easily, general surface aging and wear, all to the good.
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