Sweetheart pin cushion, 1914-1918 (c)

This sweetheart cushion belonged to Mr W A Parish, Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Heart-shaped cushion made from black velvet, edged with fawn coloured crochet lace and woollen baubles, backed in dark brown cotton sateen. The front is decorated with four pink silk shell shapes around a central strip of cream silk with the words, 'Think of me/ When the Golden/ Sun is Sinking/ and Your Mind from/ Care Set Free/ When on Others/ You are Thinking/ Will you Sometimes/ Think of Me'. Two pieces of paper either side on the front state, 'Forget/ Me Not' in blue ink. Silver thread and sequins decorate the front, amidst yellow, white and amber glass bead pins.

Sweetheart pin cushions were produced by service personnel as mementoes for loved ones. Early examples date back to the late nineteenth century but most surviving pin cushions were produced by recuperating wounded or sick soldiers during World War One (1914-1918). As well as decorative beadwork and embroidery the pin cushions can include unit insignia, poetry, mottoes and other expressions of love.