Pin-Poppet or Pin-Box
Painted black leather, velvet, small metallic studs
Possibly English, date unknown
JJ.1962.525
This small painted leather wrapped pin-poppet, also known as a pin-box, was a closed container for holding pins. Ours currently is missing its lid as well as a few small silver studs, but the paint is intact and retains its original colors and brightness. It is decorated with pained animals as well as natural elements. The inside is padded with a red velvet insert for storing the pins; sometimes the padding would be filled with a material to shine the pins when inserted, but it is unclear if that is the case with this pin-box.
A “poppet” is an old English version of the word “puppet” or “doll”. Even though it looks nothing like an actual puppet, it may be been called that because of the connection to the pagan practice of sticking pins in such poppets. While the “pin-poppet” was not used for such purposes, the connection most likely carried over as a whimsical reference.
After the Revolutionary War, education became a priority in the United States as the new goal was to produce informed citizens for the young republic. However, the goal of women’s education was rather different. It was believed that a woman’s skills and energies should be focused on her family and home. Domestic skills and a certain level of education would have been taught at “dame schools” within a home. Young girls were encouraged to continue to pursue and grow in their domestic skills and rarely went on to continue higher education. Sewing was considered an essential skill and taught to young girls as a necessary skill to have in life.
Women of the Jay’s social status had more access and opportunities for higher education and sewing was considered more of a leisure activity.
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