{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O115678"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O115678/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF1840/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF1840/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BF1840","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O115678/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O115678","accessionNumber":"M.44:1-1991","objectType":"Sewing machine","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This is one of the first patented sewing machines. It has an elevated shelf to support the fabric being sewn. Such machines were marketed as essential and easy-to-use accessories for the organised housewife. An expensive machine like this would have taken pride of place in a middle-class drawing room. It is decorated with a fashionable technique called ‘japanning’ – a type of painted lacquer. ","physicalDescription":"The machine comprises a flat, rectangular base with concave sides supported on three cast feet. Underneath the base is a cast openwork design of strapwork. A section of the base can be raised and moved sideways supported on hinged rods. Mounted on the base in an arm and platform of cast iron, the needle is operated through the arm by means of a horizontal rod attached to a wheel, connected through a series of cog wheels and a rocking gear. A turned wooden knob attached at the side operates the wheel and also screwed to the wheel is a sprung hook marked MACHINE WINDER. The wheel is cast in openwork with radiating apertures in Gothic style. The arm and platform are cast with a raised columnar design arranged horizontally with two additional plain raised mouldings. Attached at the back by screws is a cast iron panel in openwork with a design of scrollwork surrounding a sunburst. The top surface of the arm is fitted with a vertical rod to hold the reel of cotton and a cast mount supporting a wheel over which the thread passes. Adjacent to the needle is a sprung lever allowing the work to be cleared from the needle. The entire surface of the machine is jappaned in black with the edges and borders picked out in gold leaf with designs of running foliage and acanthus. A label on the inner side of the arm, in gold leaf, is inscribed E WARD PATINEE AND SOLE MANUFACTURER TRADE MARK AND AP. Another label in gold leaf written on the horizontal of the upper arm reads ARM AND PLATFORM. ","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Ward, Edward","id":"AUTH335017"},"association":{"text":"inventors","id":"AAT25845"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"iron","id":"AAT11002"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Cast iron, japanned in black and gold","categories":[{"text":"Household objects","id":"THES48939"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006BF1840"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES412208"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Sewing Machine","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca.1875-80","earliest":"1870-01-01","latest":"1880-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Maja Schalburg Bequest","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"34","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Taken from register"},{"dimension":"Height","value":"25","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"taken from register"},{"dimension":"Width","value":"18.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"taken from register"}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"The functional aspects of the sewing machine do not result in an easy or regular shape for decoration, yet the side facing the sewer is covered with ornament, unlike the back, which is plain. Such decoration was essential if machines were to take their place in the Victorian interior.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Sewing machine, cast iron, japanned in black and gold, designed by Edward Ward, England, ca. 1875-80","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"japanning","id":"AAT53797"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.44:1-1991"],"accessionNumberNum":"44","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1991,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-10-06","recordCreationDate":"2005-08-24","availableToBook":false}}