Stitching Horse184040 1/2 × 13 × 25"Wood, leather, metalEva and Morris Feld Folk Art Acquisition Fund1985.19.10(including construction) Harness making bench and vise in the form of a horse, dowelled construction; the seat with convez sides an rounded back, standing on four legs shaped to resemble a horse's legs, uneven stretchers. Pincers or "clam," dowelled and rivetted either side of bench and operated by a ratchet and strap device with leather strap threaded through holes in clam and running down side of body to pedal with attached metal piece, riveted behind front leg. Metal edge of pedal fits into any one of a series of notches on the metal ratchet bar attached behind front R leg. Sturdy but rough construction with unfinished surfaces.152810879Artist unidentifiedTools and EquipmentThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.United StatesOhioThree Dimensional WorksSimilar Examples:
Sears Catalogue 1902, p. 419
Kathryn M. McNerney, Primitives Our American Heritage, p. 49
June Sprigg, Shaker Design, p. 150
Ralph and Terry Kovel, American Country Furniture 1780-1875. p. 219, fig. 598
Information about Harnessmaking:
Bobbie Kalman, Early Artisans, pp. 38-39
Rev. David Gehman, "The Last Days of Harness Making in Bucks County” in Bucks County Historical Society, Vol. VI, pp.79-81Stitching horses were commonly used by harness makers in plying their trade. The "clam" or princers provided a third arm for the worker, holding the leather firmly as he sewed. The straight edge of the pincers was used as a stitching guide and the top edges often show signs of wear from the needle. Stitching horses were in regular use from ca. 1830-1900 with little change in form, making dating difficult. The maker of this piece seems to have taken the term "stitching horse" literally, giving his piece the look of the real animal.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org18401840 1985 19 1 Stitching horses were commonly used by harness makers in plying their trade. The "clam" or princers provided a third arm for the worker, holding the leather firmly as he sewed. The straight edge of the pincers was used as a stitching guide and the top edges often show signs of wear from the needle. Stitching horses were in regular use from ca. 1830-1900 with little change in form, making dating difficult. The maker of this piece seems to have taken the term "stitching horse" literally, giving his piece the look of the real animal.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org