Chinese Seamstress's Tool

Scoop on the left and a round button of a disc on the right.

This iron seamstress's tool is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. Sewing tools of this kind were often kept in a basket or box together with needles, thread and scissors, and were handled constantly over many years. This double-ended piece has a small swept blade at one end and a flat, rounded disc at the other, with a long, plain shank between them. The surface is dark and lightly pitted, with slight color variations along the stem. It is 10.75 inches wide.

One end digs, the other presses, and both look pleased.