Chinese Seamstress's Tool

Broad paddle at one end and a nicked little hook at the other, joined by a gently bowed stem.

This iron seamstress's tool is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. Hebei Province lies in northern China around Beijing, a region with a long history of metalworking, farming and village craft production. Thick in the stem, this tool has a flattened, rounded paddle at one end and a short, upswept, sharply pointed blade at the other. The surface is rough, dark brown, and slightly uneven along its length. It is 10 inches wide.

Hefty in the stem, and proud of its bulk.