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ID #SA1177177
FOR SALE
£550
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Miniature Antique Silver Pin Cushion - Lion
For sale by The Silver Cabinet
for sale €644     $699
£550

The Silver Cabinet

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2014
Browse dealers 127 items
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Id #SA1177177
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Miniature Antique Silver Pin Cushion - Lion

19th century
Description

This is a rarity - a solid sterling silver pin cushion fashioned as a miniature lion.

He is hallmarked for Chester 1898, right at the end of the reign of Queen Victoria, and carries the maker's mark of Edward Durban & Co. You have to wonder whether the silversmith had ever seen a lion, or just modelled it on the sterling silver mark: a Lion passant gardant on a canted, rectangular base.

Dimensions:

Length: 2cm

Width: 0.6cm

Height: 1.5cm.

Complimentary gift wrapping is available on request.

Post and packaging are free within the UK. Overseas buyers - if you would prefer not to use the eBay Global Shipping Programme, please e-mail for postage costs and please note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying.

Physical Dimensions
Height
1.5cm (0.59")
Width
2cm (0.79")
Depth
0.6cm (0.24")
Declaration

The Silver Cabinet has dated this Silver Lion Pin Cushion to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1177177
Dealers Internal Reference
C816
Description
This is a rarity - a solid sterling silver pin cushion fashioned as a miniature lion.
“
He is hallmarked for Chester 1898, right at the end of the reign of Queen Victoria, and carries the maker's mark of Edward Durban & Co.
The Silver Cabinet

You have to wonder whether the silversmith had ever seen a lion, or just modelled it on the sterling silver mark: a Lion passant gardant on a canted, rectangular base.

fig 1. A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert.
fig 1. Miniature Antique Silver Pin Cushion - Lion

Dimensions:

Length: 2cm

Width: 0.6cm

Height: 1.5cm.

Complimentary gift wrapping is available on request.

Post and packaging are free within the UK. Overseas buyers - if you would prefer not to use the eBay Global Shipping Programme, please e-mail for postage costs and please note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying.

Height
1.5cm (0.59")
Width
2cm (0.79")
Depth
0.6cm (0.24")
Date of Manufacture

The Silver Cabinet has dated this Silver Lion Pin Cushion to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1177177
Dealers Internal Ref
C816
The Silver Cabinet
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2014
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The Silver Cabinet Profile Page

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A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert.
1 / 6
Archive I A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert.

Miniature Antique Silver Pin Cushion - Lion

Archive II A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert. View II
Archive III A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert. View III
Archive IV A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert. View IV
Archive V A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert. View V
Archive VI A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert. View VI
Enlarged Archival View

The Silver Cabinet
Telephone 07934 622 773
Location
West Midlands
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/thesilvercabinet
Verified Since May 2014
Items For Sale 127
Items Sold 583
The Silver Cabinet
Verified Since May 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/thesilvercabinet
Verified
May 2014
For Sale
127
Sold
583
A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert.
Miniature Antique Silver Pin Cushion - Lion
Ref: SA1177177
A miniature sterling silver pin cushion cast in the form of a standing lion with a red fabric cushion insert.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPin Cushions
  • Period19th century
  • StyleEdwardian Novelty
  • MaterialSterling Silver, Velvet
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsFigural lion, Cast mane detail, Rectangular plinth base, Velvet cushion insert
  • SizeH 1.5 cm (1 in) x W 2 cm (1 in) x D 0.6 cm (0 in)

This Victorian Edwardian novelty pin cushion is a solid sterling silver miniature fashioned in the form of a standing lion. The piece carries the hallmark for Chester 1898 and the maker's mark of Edward Durban and Company, showing a detailed cast mane, a red velvet cushion insert set into the back, and a canted rectangular plinth base. The silver has a bright, reflective finish. Measuring 1.5 cm high, 2 cm wide, and 0.6 cm deep, this diminutive desk accessory sits easily on a home office desk, study table, or mantelpiece. It provides a decorative and functional way to hold sewing pins while adding a touch of antique figural charm to a traditional gentleman's library interior.

FAQs

Novelty silver pin cushions gained immense popularity during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, primarily produced by British silversmiths in Birmingham and Chester. Craftsmen created miniature silver casings in the forms of animals, shoes, and transport items to appeal to collectors and sewing enthusiasts.

These items were typically constructed from sterling silver or silver plate, housing a compact cushion interior stuffed with emery, horsehair, or wool roving covered in velvet or silk to keep steel pins lubricated and rust-free.

Authentic British silver pin cushions feature stamped hallmarks, including a makers mark, assay town mark, lion passant for sterling quality, and a date letter denoting the year of manufacture. Weight, crispness of the casting details, and age-appropriate oxidisation also indicate genuine period construction.

Small silver novelties serve as decorative curios on desk tops, vanity trays, or within glass display cabinets alongside other antique silver accessories and books.

Clean the silver metal using a soft silver polishing cloth, avoiding liquid polishes or water immersion that could damage or discolour the internal fabric cushion.
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