#2 • British Late 19th Century / WWI Sweetheart Pin Cushion: Coldstream Guards

Part of TRENCH ART & WWI Memorabilia (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

High bid $35.00

Status: Sold

Category: Britain

British Late 19th Century / WWI Sweetheart Pin Cushion: Coldstream Guards. These were available in kit form, allowing the soldier constructing it to incorporate regimental insignia and woven or embroidered sentiments of his own choice.  When they turn up they are normally attributed to WWI, but there were a few of them in the Kimball Trench Art collection with Queen's crowns and Boer War battle honors lacking for units that would have had them, demonstrating that the practice was well under way before Queen Victoria assumed room temperature in 1901.   This particular example measures roughly 19cm along each dimension, heart-shaped, and features the insignia of the Coldstream Guards, a pair of woven "Best Wishes" sentiments, and is elaborately decorated with light blue, amber, white, and clear beads mounted by pins on a tan fabric field with threaded border and dark brown cotton backing.  Several pins and their captive beads are missing, but the majority remain and display nicely.  Shows it's age but remains solid.  Estimate: $60 - $100