Treadle Sewing Machine

Object/Artifact

-

New Museum Los Gatos

Name/Title

Treadle Sewing Machine

Entry/Object ID

NU 2021.158

Description

A large, foot pedal operated sewing machine. The base and sides are cast iron, and have a floral, decorative pattern that also includes the "WG" initials of the manufacturer. The top of the sewing machine is a rectangular wooden table, and attached to the right side of the table is the sewing mechanism itself. The arm and bed is metal that is painted black with golden leaves and grapes decorating the sides, as well as the manufacturer's name painted in gold. The needle, needle clamp, throat plate, and balance wheel are a silver metal. There is a small wooden drawer attached to the bottom of the table that slides out, and inside the drawer are genuine Willcox and Gibbs sewing needles and parts.

Collection

History Collection

Cataloged By

registrar@numulosgatos.org

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Co.

Date made

circa 1880 - circa 1890

Time Period

19th Century

Notes

Unable to locate a serial number to further narrow down the date.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Makers Mark, Label

Location

Top of throat plate

Transcription

PATENTED IN U.S.A / MAR.28 - 82. APRIL 17 - 83 (TWO) / NOV. 22 - 87. FEB. 12, 19, 26 - 89. / AUG. 28 - 94. (THREE) WILLCOX & GIBBS / SEWING MACHINE CO / NEW YORK / LONDON / PARIS PATENTED IN / GREAT BRITAIN / 1502-82, 1931-83 / 17076-88-16385-94. / BREVETÈE EN FRANCE / S.G.D.G. / MADE IN U.S.A. 30 STITCHES TO AN INCH THREAD / SILK / NEEDLE / STITCH

Language

English

Material/Technique

Etched

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Machine, Sewing

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Machine, Needlework

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Needleworking Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Textileworking T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 04: Tools & Equipment for Materials

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Old Object Number

Other Number

252

Number Type

Old Accession Number

Other Number

58

Dimensions

Height

37-5/8 in

Width

16 in

Length

25 in

Materials

Material

Metal, Wood

Material Notes

Cast iron

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Gift of Dr. & Mrs. Gordon Brown

Acquisition Method

Gift

Acquisition Date

Jul 17, 1968

Exhibition

The Los Gatos History Project: Uncovering Untold Stories - Phase 1