Unique, ornate, and beautifully made cut steel and gilt brass love token sewing clamp ("cage d'amour"), ca. 1730, retaining its original needlework cushion with silk floral patchwork, which lifts up to reveal a box for storing sewing implements, the clamp engraved with the initials "AR", 9 3/4" h., 5" w. With release of a trigger mechanism in the rear of the cage, a bird shoots out. If a lady released the bird when a suitor came to call, his attentions were encouraged. According to the Victoria & Albert Museum, this piece was most likely made by a gunsmith.