Extra Fancy 19th Century Double Ball in Cage (Presumed Weaving Shuttle) Whimsy in Original Polychrome #1 19th century with cutout niches in the

with cutout niches in the bottom piece into which the cross bars neatly fit

I come across this type of Victorian era beadwork pin cushion from time to time

Basketry pin cushion measures 1 3/8" across

just totally do it for me

Really a great little object

Extra Fancy 19th Century Double Ball in Cage (Presumed Weaving Shuttle) Whimsy in Original Polychrome #1 19th century with cutout niches in theGoogle image searches can be useful, even if much of the time what they turn up is irrelevant or just wrong! In this case I have found a couple of carvings similar to this one (nobs at the end, pinched center, "balls in cages" at either side" described as 19th century weaving shuttles, which makes very good sense the perfect shape and size to wrap thread yarn around and run across a loom. (Sewing and weaving tools are really among the richest terrains