Pen-Wiper

Object name: Pen-Wiper

Date: 1800-1933

Dimensions:

75 x 40 x 90 mm

Medium: Cloth, bone, wax, bead

Object number: C05393

DescriptionPen wiper in the form of a small doll. The head is made from wood and either a black seed or wax, and is painted with white eyes and a red mouth. The arms (which are covered by cloth) are made from a wishbone which is inserted into the head, and the hands are covered in a black wax. The figure is dressed in four layers of cloth in black, red, green and red colours. The edges of the cloth layers are pinked and the top layer is embroidered with thread. A patch of bright red on its chest and a pin reveals that there must have been something else attatched there, possibly the following rhyme: 'Once I was a merrythought upon a little hen, Now I am a little slave made to wipe a pen'. Pen wipers were used to wipe the ink off pens.