Antique & Vintage
Sewing Birds / Sewing Clamps

This is just a sample of the many Sewing Related Antiques we have sold.
Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Antiques
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Special Note Concerning Prices Seen Below:
Most prices seen reflect actual sale results from this website.
Prices seen span a long period of time and may not reflect current values.  Some are selling for more, many now sell for less.
On some pieces you will see no price, or a price range, with or without an explanation.  The reasons for that are discussed on the FAQ page.

Our current offering of Antiques for saleare at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

Antique Patented "Full Body Robin" Sewing Bird w/ Pincushion  This is a great looking antique sewing bird clamp.  It is known as the full bodied robin.  There is patent information under the tail that says "A. Gerould & Co. Patent".  There is a small pincushion under the neck and it is original and shows some wear.  A very graphic and good looking clamp that will display nicely. 

Very Good. . . . . . . $225.00       SOLD!

Marshall Field & Co. STERLING Silver Sewing Bird w/ 2 Pincushions This is one of the finest and rarest of the sewing bird clamps we have.  Do not mistake it for what you see offered elsewhere. 

This rare and unusual sewing clamp is marked "Marshall Field & Co." and "Sterling" inside the clamp portion.  It is solid sterling silver.  It is a variation I have never seen before.  

It is a great looking antique sewing clamp / bird with one pincushion below the bird.  This is the form or style sewing bird clamp that has been most widely copied and is still being made and sold today, but even a simple comparison reveals that this is a completely different piece than those.

The  bird itself is not just a thin sheet of brass.  The wings and body are silver and test to be silver.  This one does not have the patent date which the fakes one do have.  But this is the real one!  The pin cushion has been replaced.   The clamp portion is silver as well, and that is where this is marked with the name and Sterling.   The clamp potion is a very detailed and very well done.  The differences from new ones being sold are stark. 

Another special and rare sewing bird / clamp that will stand out from, and is heads and tails above, the rest of the flock!

Excellent . . . . . . . $495.00     SOLD!

Unusual Cast Brass / Bronze Sewing Bird  No longer are sewing birds what you would call common, but certainly the stamped brass ones tend to be those that are more frequently available.  If you have been at it for a while you know that the fun of assembling any collection is in adding pieces that are distinctly different from the others.  If you have all the common forms of sewing birds and you are looking for something that is definitely different, then this one is bound to fit the bill.  There is no doubt  that this sewing bird was made by an individual and probably done in the interest of economy---"Honey, I can make you one of those!"  The body of the bird is nicely executed and shows the attention to detail of an artist with its cross-hatched lines to simulate the feathers and two little bird eyes.  The bird as well as the pincushion holder have that certain charm exhibited by early hand-made pieces.  The clamping beak is strong and sturdy and was made to do the job.  I can't tell exactly what the metal that was used is, but it appears to be cast of a brass or bronze alloy and has a nice dark untouched patina.

Very Good . . . . . . . $175.00         SOLD!

Petite Brass Sewing Bird  This dainty example of the classic sewing bird form, with an unusual feather pattern design on the body, measures a mere 2 3/4" from beak to tail, and just 1 3/8" from wing to wing.  It is significantly smaller than the size that is most familiar to needlework collectors, and I have often wondered if it was meant to be used by a young child learning domestic arts.  It is guarantee old and genuine.

Very Good. . . . . . . $195.00        SOLD!

Antique Brass Sewing Bird w/ Lower Pincushion This is a great looking vintage sewing bird / clamp with the pincushion below the nicely patina'd brass bird.   This is one of the harder to find variations of these with the cushion below, and the pin cushion is original. Overall it is in nice condition and it works well.  

Very Good. . . . . . . $225.00     SOLD!

Nickel Plated Brass Antique Sewing Bird w/ 2 Pincushions This is a great looking sewing clamp / bird with one pincushion below the bird on top of the clamp and another smaller one on its back. 

This antique sewing bird was patented in the mid 1800's and is the form that has been most widely copied or reproduced.   There are new versions being made and sold today, but they are a world apart in quality from this example. You can see a constant supply of the new fake version being offered on eBay as both old and new.  

A simple comparison reveals that this is a completely different and much nicer piece than those.  Reproductions of this style sewing bird have been made since the 20's, so some of the knockoffs do have some real age to them.  Some later examples are marked Japan on the clamp and date from after WWII.   The newest examples carry the patent date on the wing, but no other ID. 

This is a real antique sewing bird, and dates from the turn of the century or before.  The bird itself is made of  thin sheet brass that is nickel plated.  The wings have great feather details.  It is very detailed, and very well done.  The lower pincushion is not plated, and I believe this is correct as I have seen other examples in the same finish scheme.   A nice clamp. 

Very Good . . . . . . . $175.00     SOLD!

Nickel Plated Brass Antique Sewing Bird  This is a nice looking sewing clamp / bird with one pincushion below the bird on top of the clamp and another place on its back for a smaller one that is missing. 

This style antique sewing bird was patented in the mid 1800's and is the form that has been most widely copied or reproduced.   There are new versions being made and sold today, but they are a world apart in quality from this example. You can see a constant supply of the new fake version being offered on eBay as both old and new.   The newest examples carry the patent date on the wing, as this one does, but no other ID. 

This is a real antique sewing bird, and dates from near the turn of the century or before.  The bird itself is made of  thin sheet brass that is nickel plated.  The wings have great feather details.    A nice clamp. 

Very Good. . . . . . . $275.00     SOLD!

Nickel Plated Brass Antique Sewing Bird   This sewing clamp / bird with one pincushion on top of the clamp is identical to the one above but w/o the lower pincushion.  It may be missing, or they may have been offered this way.

This style sewing bird was patented in the mid 1800's and is the form that has been most widely copied or reproduced.  You can see a constant supply of the new fake version being offered on eBay as both old and new.  A simple comparison reveals that this is a completely different and much nicer piece than those.  Reproductions of this style sewing bird have been made since the 20's, so some of the knockoffs do have some real age to them.  Some later examples are marked "Japan" on the clamp and date from after WWII.   The newest examples carry the patent date on the wing, as this one does, but no other ID. 

This is a real antique sewing bird, and dates from the turn of the century or before.   A nice clamp! 

Very Good. . . . . . . $125.00     SOLD!

Cast Iron Tole Painted Antique Sewing Bird  This is a great looking antique sewing clamp / bird that dates from the 19th century.   It  has a lot of original paint and finish that is hard to see in the pics.  The neck is gold in color, and the main body has lots of original black paint w/ a red highlights at the tips of the wings.  The spring is strong, and the heart shaped screw clamp works properly. 

The bird itself is made of  cast iron.   It is very well done and a nice casting.  A nice clamp. 

Very Good. . . . . . . $195.00     SOLD!

A. Gerould & Co. Patented "Full Body Robin" Sewing Bird w/ Pincushion  This is the same as the example above.  There is a small pincushion under the neck and it is original and shows some wear.  It has a slightly lighter patina than the example above.  Nice!

Very Good  . . . . . . . . .$175.00 SOLD!

Antique Polished Steel Sewing Bird  This sewing clamp is polished steel and English in origin.   It dates from the 19th century.  It is graceful in form with a stylized "bird" having a beak to hold the fabric and a tall flat tail you push to open it. Note the cut-out heart design in the thumbscrew!  Overall this is a very nice sewing clamp that has been cleaned and polished to highlight its design and will display very nicely.  Very nice!

Very Good . . . . . . . .$275.00      SOLD!

Antique Sewing Clamp Pincushion  This is a very early pincushion sewing clamp that dates from the early 19th century.  There is some minor rust, and it has not been cleaned or polished.  It is a nicely crafted steel pin cushion with a hook incorporated into the bottom thumbscrew to help hold work like netting, the idea being you could tie off your work to this hook allowing the pin cushion to be used to hold needles or pins.   A nice added  touch.   It is about 5 1/2" tall, and the pin cushion about 2" diameter.

Good+ . . . . .$65.00       SOLD!

Antique Polished Steel Figural Sewing Clamp w/ Pincushion & Winder   Most of the clamps on this page are a third of the size of the similar designed sewing clamps on the other stylized critter page.  This one is only 5 1/2" tall, and about 3" long from spool winder to the nose.  

The pin cushion is nice and its holder has a nice turned post.  The spring is strong, and it grips fabric well.  The number 13 is stamped inside of the curved tail.  The wooden thread spool at the back is nice, and an added feature not seen very often.   There is a name embossed on the little plaque on the front of the clamp.  It looks to say XXXX  Siebel in script and is very faint.  A very nice piece of mid 19th century to Victorian era workmanship!!

Excellent . . . . .$295.00     SOLD!! 

Antique Figural Steel Sewing Clamp w/ Pincushion   This figural iron sewing clamp / bird  is  6" tall, and about 4" long from the nose to tail.   The head was carefully done and has an interesting design nose and small eyes.  The spring is good, and this sewing clamp has a great stylized flattened and curled tail you push on to open the mouth.  The fabric of the pin cushion is a replacement that looks good.  This one has not been cleaned or polished and has a great original patina that only 19th century iron can develop.  Another very nice piece of mid 19th century to Victorian era craftsmanship!!

Very Good . . . . . . .$295.00      SOLD!! 

Multi Feature Patented Antique Sewing Clamp This unusual sewing clamp has a whole list of features and is English. There is patent information and a location on the top of the body.  The buttonhole cutter is also marked Patent and there is a name on the circular clamp near the thimble holder as well.  It looks like it says "The Empire", but the stamp is weak.   In addition to a spring loaded plunger type clamp to hold the fabric, this sewing tool also sports a thimble holder, a slot for scissors or another tool,  a circular loop / clamp for ???, a slide out button hole cutter, and a pin cushion.   It is about 6 1/2" tall, and the pin cushion is about 1 1/2" across.  It is in super original condition.  A very nice and unusual addition for the collection!!

Very Good . . . . . .$195.00      SOLD!!   

Antique Sewing Clamp / Button Hole Cutter / Scissor & Needle Sharpener   There is a lot of utility and function packed into this little gem.  It is about 5" tall and 2" wide.  A very rare and unusual sewing accessory / tool with several functions and a lot of appeal.  Recommended. 

Very Good . . . . . $195.00    SOLD!!

Antique Nickel Plated Sewing Bird w/ 2 Pincushions This is a great looking antique sewing clamp / bird with one pincushion below the bird and another smaller one on its back.  The pin cushions are original and nice.  It is the form that has been most widely copied and is still being made and sold today, but even a simple comparison reveals that this is a completely different and much nicer piece than those.  This one does not have the patent date which the fakes one do have. 

The bird itself is not just a thin sheet of brass.  The wings are solid and very heavy.  The other big difference is the clamp portion.  This one is not cast---it is machined, and engraved with its decoration or design.  It is very detailed, and very well done.  The differences from a new one are stark.  A special and rare sewing bird / clamp that will stand out from, and is heads and tails above the rest. 

Excellent . . . . . .$295.00      SOLD!

Antique Sewing Bird / Clamp with 4 Thread Winding Spools & Pin Cushion   This antique sewing bird is exceptional.  Not only does it have great form, it truly has great function---actually multi-functions---as well.  Once clamped onto the table the seamstress or needle worker could squeeze the gracefully-shaped tail of the "stylized bird" to open its beak and insert her handiwork.  The red velvet pincushion on top would have been a place to keep her straight pins and needles within easy reach.  Four wooden spools are incorporated into the design and would have allowed her to have several different colors of thread wound and ready for use. 

This sewing bird is exceptionally well made and well thought out, and probably English in origin. It is approx 7" tall and 2 1/2 " wide.  The clamp is affixed to the frame using a dovetailed joint.  The spring is strong and it holds fabric very well.  The pincushion base unscrews and removes from the frame so the cushion could be replaced if needed.  The wooden spools remove by unscrewing the rods that go through their centers so they could be taken out and wound.  There is fine detailing in the thumbscrew.  It is in remarkably good condition and is a very unusual design.  It has been cleaned and polished up nicely.  One other aspect of note is that there six dots marked on the inside of the main bar of the clamp. Was this the 6th one the maker made?  Or does it represent something else?  The last one of these we had was marked with Roman numerals in this area.  A mystery for The Antique Detectives!

Very Good-Excellent . . . . . .$395.00     SOLD!!

Folksy Painted Wooden Pincushion Clamp   This is an interesting wooden tole painted pincushion clamp.  From the designs it looks to me like it could be American or it may be Scandinavian.  It is unusual in that on one side is a little round mirror.  The "trim" around the edge of the mirror has flaked off (even more is missing than what the picture shows).  It's a great looking piece of folk art as well as a great antique sewing collectible.

Good . . . . .$95.00       SOLD! 

Cut Steel / Decorated Antique Sewing Clamp Pincushion w/ Hook  Cut steel is an art form that is most closely associated with France and England.  It can date from as early as the 17th century.  Sewing clamps in this form are very rare.  This one is all original and in super nice condition. 

The pin cushion looks to be original and sits in a round bottom cut steel decorated trough.  That is held up by a finely turned stepped post.  The outside of the clamp portion is also decorated with cut steel buttons and flowers.  The bottom heart shaped thumbscrew is very nicely done as well.  It also has an unusual spiral cut thread which serves to double the speed when turning it to open or close.  A very hard to achieve detail.   

The final feature is the hook that can be used to tie off or hold your work acting as a third hand if you will.  At first glance a simple and utilitarian example, but upon examination a wonderful piece of cut steel, and a very early and unusual sewing clamp. 

Excellent . . . . .$175.00     SOLD!

Stylized Antique Steel Sewing Clamp w/ Pincushion At first glance this a lot like one of the clamps from the other stylized clamp page.   A closer examination, and seeing them side by side, reveals a host of differences.  They may have been made by the same hand, but they are quite different.  This sewing clamp / bird is only 5" tall and 4" long.  Side by side the difference in size is dramatic.  The head is also a different shape, and a lot more file work was put into shaping this one's head with its rounded shape and peak at the middle.   This is a good looking sewing bird / sewing clamp that has been cleaned and polished and is ready for display or to be put back to use. 

Very Good . . . . . .$395.00     SOLD! 

Figural Hand Antique Steel Sewing Clamp w/ Pincushion Different & Nice!! 

Very Good . . . . . .$195.00      SOLD! 

Antique Brass Sewing Clamp Pincushion w/ Special Features  This is an odd looking sewing clamp / pin cushion.  It resembles an ancient building with pillars or a monument and in a sense that is what it is because in addition to the look and the pincushion, this unusual clamp also has a secret area that holds an old photographic image and a mirror.  Just below the pincushion the top unscrews to reveal a mirror in the top half, and in the bottom the facial image of a man.  The glass over the image is held in with a threaded ring which unscrews. It looks to be Civil War era, and may have been made as a tribute to some fallen hero or loved one. This unusual piece stands just about 6" tall, and the pin cushion / image are is about 2" in diameter.  Unique!!!  

Excellent   . . . . .$395.00      SOLD!

2 Polished Steel & Wood Thread Winders / Spools These are about the same size as each other but slightly different in makeup.  The seamstress or sewer would have these set up for large pieces of work to have a ready supply of thread at hand for the project underway.  These would date from the19th century or before, and are very well done.

Very Good . . . . .$95.00      SOLD!

Antique Clamp on Wooden Sewing Box / Pin Cushion w/ Decorated Thread Winders / Spools   This would date from the early 20th century and is very well done.

Very Good . . . . .$175.00      SOLD!

Cast Iron Sewing Clamp / Third Hand This Antique Victorian Era cast iron fabric holder / sewing clamp has a nice decorative casting. It is fully functional and works well.

Good +. . . . . . $35.00          SOLD!!

BACK to Americana Archive

This is just a sample of the many antiques & collectibles we have sold.
Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Antiques
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

This website is Copyrighted
Larry & Carole Meeker