We Welcome Thee Pincushion

Elegant early-Victorian satin pin cushion decorated with stylised four-leaf clover-like forms and the words We welcome thee in smaller pins. 

Its eight lobes are decorated with fine silk fringe. The hole at its centre presumably once held other sewing necessities.

Known historically as as pimpilowes or pin-poppets, pin cushions can be traced back to the 14th century in Europe. They are usually padded with cotton,
wool, horsehair or sawdust. To sharpen and clean the pins they held, however, some were filled with abrasive emery powder.

They make fine presents for those with a needle-sharp eye.....