19th Century French Red Tortoiseshell Heart Pincushion with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

A romantic 19th century French pincushion, or pique-aiguilles, shaped as a heart. Two panels of glowing red tortoiseshell, warm cinnamon and amber mottled with deep brown, sandwich a rose-pink silk cushion. Red tortoiseshell is the rarer and more sought-after coloring, and it glows beautifully when the light catches it. The front is inlaid with a delicate floral spray of iridescent mother-of-pearl petals and leaves on fine silver piqué stems, framed by a wavy silver piqué border, and a little pink silk ribbon loop crowns the top.

Sewing accessories like this were treasured gifts in 19th century France, made to be kept on a lady's worktable or carried in her sewing box. It still carries its French dealer's tag: "Pique aiguilles en écaille et décor nacré, XIXe siècle."

Lovely displayed on a vanity, in a vitrine, or tucked into a sewing basket.

Dimensions: 2" x 1.5"

Origin: France

Material: Red tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, silver piqué, silk

Era: 19th century

Condition: Very good antique condition. The tortoiseshell and inlay are bright; the silk cushion shows fading and wear consistent with age.