Rijg- of haarnaald met een kinderfiguurtje tussen bloemen 1739

François Quien crafted this striking, golden hair or sewing needle sometime before 1750. Consider how this small, domestic object reflects the social life of its time. The detailed carving of a child among flowers transforms the needle from a mere tool into a statement of personal identity. The value of such an item wasn't just practical, it was deeply enmeshed with gender and class. For women of means, adornment and refinement, even in everyday objects, were part of performing their social roles. It suggests a narrative about childhood, nature, and femininity, all intertwined. Needles like this offer a glimpse into the personal lives of women in the 18th century, their values, and the societal expectations they navigated. Imagine the stories this object could tell about domestic life and personal expression.