Thread minder

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Thread minder

Entry/Object ID

SS.2018.4

Description

Carved in the shape of a crouching cat; pointed ears; dark glass bead eyes; blunt nose, painted black; long front legs extended, carved together as one element; short back legs; elevated back; long curved tail; round funnel-shaped opening in back, leading to small round hole under chin; light staining with appearance of stripes; some detail in face suggesting whiskers.

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Maker

Artist

William Simpkins

Attribution

Maker

Date made

1800 - 1899

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

(See Description)

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

SS.2018.2
SS.2018.3

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

2-1/2 in

Width

1-1/2 in

Depth

4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 4 in. (6.4 x 3.8 x 10.2 cm)

Material

wood (pine?), Glass

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Excellent, except tail was orginally longer and has been broken off about 1 1/4" from the cat's body; this appears to be old damage.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Maria A. Fowler

Notes

Former owner

Person or Organization

Caroline Raymond

Notes

Former owner

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

This piece is a thread minder, the ball of thread rest in the back, and the loose end comes out of the hole under the cat's chin, adding whimsy to the design is the idea of the cat playing with the string or thread [Jessa J. Krick, Associate Directors of Collections, 4/13/2018].

Note Type

General Note

Note

Donor Jessica Leslie believes that this piece was either from Maria A. Fowler Raymond's collection of family sewing tools used at 116 Washington Street or that it was added to the collection by Caroline Raymond, Maria's daughter. It is possible that it was carved by William "Simmy" Simpkins, the husband of Caroline Raymond Simpkins.

Note Type

Department

Note

Curatorial