Victorian Sewing Bird Clamp with Original Pin Cushion

This Victorian-era sewing bird is a clamp designed to assist with hand-sewing by holding fabric in place. Sewing birds became popular in the 1850s as a helpful "third hand" for seamstresses, often given to young women as part of their dowries. The original velvet pin cushion on top shows expected wear for the age. The cushion beneath the bird has gone missing over the years, and there appears to be white paint residue in that area. The spring mechanism functions properly, though there is visible rust, as shown in the photos. The screw clamp works well and securely attaches to a table or work surface.