Americana & Folk Art

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Fun and folky love token and pen wipe, both of which are favorites of mine. Before fountain pens, dip or nib pens were messy and leaked ink on the paper being written upon.  So in the mid-19th century, women began stitching decorative pen wipes for their own use and to give as gifts.  The majority of pen wipes were made by sandwiching layers of fabric (or leaves) under a central, and often three-dimensional design.  As might be expected, the majority of the 19th and early 20th century pen wipes are from the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area.

This folky little pen wipe is a three dimensional hand made of tan leather.  Each finger is separately stitched.  I hesitate to use the word articulate less you think I mean jointed but each finger is separately stitched and can be pulled apart.  The wrist has a bracelet of red ribbon.  The leather cuff is serrated and scalloped.  The leaves are blue felt.  There is heavy ink-staining to the blue felt and some staining to the leather cuff.

American, probably Pennsylvania.  Circa last half of the 19th century.  4 1/2" tall.  A folky addition to any pen wipe collection!

(#4783)     $750

Provenance:  ex-Edna Wise

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