Sweetheart pin cushions are widely collected and always prove popular at auction. But what are they, and why do they have such a following?
Sweetheart pin cushions are typically associated with the World War One period, however earlier examples have been found from the late 19thC. Produced by convalescing service personnel, these often hand sized cushions were sent home to loved ones as a memento. Predominately heart shaped, they include decorative beadwork and embroidery, along side loving phrases, mottos and sometimes snippets of poetry. Regimental insignia is known to have been applied to the cushions. Some were made from scraps of fabric that were to hand such as cloth from feed sacks and clothing; others were created from kits as popularity for these mementos grew.
Golding Young has sold many examples of these pin cushions in recent years. One such cushion sold in the Bourne Collective sale on the 10th June for £190. Measuring 19cm high, the heart shaped cushion bore the phrase ‘Success to Our Home’ along the edge of the piece, and was a highly decorative example covered in beads and pins forming heart and floral head motifs. The item commanded a strong sale price as it was in fantastic condition for its age, obviously it had been lovingly preserved for many decades.
At our Lincoln saleroom a Lincolnshire Regiment related cushion sold for £60. Bearing a central silk cigarette card depicting the regiments crest, along with two further silk texts for ‘absence’ and ‘think of me’ which includes a poem below each, the piece bursts with sentiment and longing.
These cushions are not just an interesting insight into a past age in terms of the construction the piece and the materials used, but from a social history point of view they are fascinating.
