DESCRIPTION: This is a pair of wooden Shaker hand turned sock darner menders from New England circa 1800s. In addition to their innovative work with fabrics, the Shakers developed a number of handmade sewing accessories, some of which were made for sale and others for their own use. The New England Shakers produced extraordinary utilitarian items using their woodworking skills. The added touch of the variegated hardwood on the large Wooden Egg gives distinction and elegance to an otherwise mundane and utilitarian sewing item. The Shaker wooden egg darner is made of maple and walnut woods. The Shaker wooden mushroom darner is made of cherry wood and one can see the beautiful grain of the wood and the small cherry wood knot. There is a slight age drying crack formed from the knot, from nearly two centuries of use, which only adds to its character and authenticity (see photos). The Shaker wooden mushroom darner has a thin fine beveled incised outer edge.MEASUREMENTS: Egg darner is 4 inches high and 4 inches round in circumference. Mushroom darner is 3 ½ inches wide and 2 ½ inches long.

Excellent condition except for a minor drying age crack on the mushroom darner (see photos) and age appropriate patina.