Purchased from a dealer of fine things in Maine, this hand-sewn and finely hand-beaded six lobed hand-pin cushion (I'd call it a star) is Seneca (Native American, Western NY area) and, though very well preserved, I believe dates to the the 3rd quarter 19th century or so. (There are a number of useful references out there re. Seneca & Iroquois pin cushions produced for the tourist trade, including documentation of some examples similar to this one, dating as early as the 1830s. Here's a link to a very good article.) I find it a most lovely thing, imparting a sense of micro and macro harmony in the universe through its symmetries and color palette, with the white beading evincing an atomic diagram from which "spray work" sprigs bloom forth!
Approx 4" in diameter x 1" thick. Beautiful condition, with a couple of very small holes along the sides, as documented, minor.
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