Knitted Silk Pinballs

I've got to order the silk for this and a couple of other pincushions and bags, as well as the very fine needles that I'll need to make gauge.
First two are in the collections at Williamsburg.  All others are at the VAM.

Pinball with ring and chain

1808 probably (dated)
Origin: America, Mid-Atlantic (probably)
Pincushion ODiam: 7"; Chain ODiam: 7 7/8", Chain (including ring) OL: 17 "
Silk embellishment threads on linen with a silver ring and chain; stuffing material is unknown
Museum Purchase

Acc. No. 1996-106,A&B

This is an almost round pinball cushion worked in shades of green, blue, ivory, tan, yellow, pink, and rust silk embellishment threads on a linen ground. The pinball is made of two fabric sections sewn together over a stuffed ball cushion. The design is worked in tiny cross stitches and consists of Quaker-like geometric patterns on one side and sprays of flowers on the other. The pincushion is seamed together at middle. The date of 180? (Probably 1808) is barely visible at seam. The stuffing material is unknown. An unmarked silver ring and chain accompany pinball. The chain has a smaller ring at opposite end of pinball for attachment to a belt or chatelaine.

Stitches: cross over two, whip

Mark(s): Silver is unmarked. Pincushion is dated 180[?].

Provenance:
No provenance known prior to CWF purchasing pinball from vendor.

Knitted Pinball

1759 (dated)
Origin: England
D: 1 3/4"; Circumference: 5 5/8"; OL of braided loop: 9 1/4" Length of cord: 9 1/4"
Silk; stuffing material unidentified
Anonymous gift

Acc. No. 1971-1315

This is a knitted round pincushion or pinball of purple/brown and white/natural knitted silk. A braided cord composed of three six-strand groups (2 purple/brown and 1 white/natural) is sewn to the cushion where edges meet (possibly to hide seam). The long ends of the cord meet at top and are knotted together at their ends to form a loop measuring 9 1/4" long.

The pattern of the pinball consists of geometric designs--an eight-pointed star and triangles on reverse and on obverse triangles. The initials "EP" and date "1759" are embroidered (V) on top of ground.

The stitches are 28 per inch and 25 rows per inch.

Mark(s): "EP" "1759"

Label:
Early pincushions and pinballs were often highly decorated and reflected the high value placed on the pins themselves. The geometric patterns seen on this pinball are similar to ones found on later Quaker pinballs produced at the English Quaker boarding school Ackworth.

Provenance:
Ex collections: Tomlinson and Mrs. DeWitt Clinton Cohen

I couldn't find further info on the red and white pinball.

Pin cushion

• Place of origin:
  England, Britain (made)
• Date:
  1733 (made)
• Artist/Maker:
  unknown (production)
• Materials and Techniques:
  Hand knitted silk and silver gilt thread
• Credit Line:
  Bequeathed by Frank Ward
• 
  
  
  Museum number:
  T.251-1960

  Physical description

  This pincushion is in the shape of a small rectangular cushion. It is made from cream silk and silver gilt thread in patterned stocking stitch and decorated with motifs of birds, plants and geometric forms. The seams are covered with braid.

  Place of Origin

  England, Britain (made)

  Date

  1733 (made)

  Artist/maker

  unknown (production)

  Materials and Techniques

  Hand knitted silk and silver gilt thread

  Dimensions

  Length: 16 cm, Width: 4.5 in, Width: 10.5 cm

  Descriptive line

  Pin cushion, hand-knitted silk and silver gilt thread, English, 1733

  Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

  Hinchcliffe, Frances. Knit One, Purl One: Historic and Contemporary Knitting from the V&A's CollectionLondon : Precision Press, 1985. Page 12.

  Exhibition History

  Knit One, Purl One (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1985-31/12/1985)

  Labels and date

  5. LARGE PINCUSHION
  Hand-knitted silk and silver-gilt thread
  English, dated 1733

  Both sides of this oblong pincushion are knitted in patterned stocking stitch. The reverse has an octagonal motif containing stylized carnations with four peacocks and the initials 'EW'. It is edged with plaited silver gilt cord to cover the join between the two halves.

  Bequeathed by Mr Frank Ward
  T.251-1960 [1985]

  Materials

  Silk

  Techniques

  Hand knitting

  Categories

  Household objects; Tools & Equipment

  Collection code

  T&D