Antique pincushion in the form of a Victorian ladies shoe. This shoe on a stand is engraved on the front "Lembranca" which is Portuguese for remembrance or memory. This piece could be from Portugal or Brazil. Both countries produced high quality silver items. This shoe pincushion has a very old cloth cushion with old rickrack and ribbon. It has seen use from either sewing pins or stickpins. The silver is in great condition for an antique. It is hand made by a silversmith, not manufactured. Hand engraved on all surfaces. The shoe is attached to a pedestal with 4 foliate feet. This piece tests as solid silver, not silver plate. If Portuguese, the country had two standards, 833 and 916. There is one punched hallmark on the skirt of the pedestal ( see last photo). It is obscured, I can't make it out at all. This weighs 4.8 ounces or 136 grams on my postal scale. The silver is heavy and well made. Judging by the style of the shoe, I would estimate last quarter of 19th century. Whether you collect sewing pincushions or stickpin pincushions, or silver shoes, this would be a unique addition to your collection.
Size: shoe is 4 inches long ( 10.25 cm.). Height is 3.5 inches (8.5 cm.) .

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