Sewing machine & box

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This lock-stitch sewing machine, pictured here with its box, was made in Birmingham by the Franklin Sewing Machine Company. The style of the machine is known as an 'Agenoria'.

The work plate is marked, 'Cole & Co, Edinburgh 10986'. The wooden box is stamped, 'Cole's Agenoria'.

By the 1860s the domestic sewing machine was available. The American Singer company opened a sewing machine factory in Bridgton, Glasgow in 1871-72, later moving to Clydebank. Ten thousand workers were employed to meet the demand for sewing machines.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-044-514-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1959.50
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Inscription: Brass plate, AGENORIA / [mythical female figure seated with lion and distaff] / THE FRANKLIN / SEWING MACHINE CO / BIRMINGHAM; work plate, Cole & Co. / Edinburgh 10986; lozenge on box, COLE'S / AGENORIA
  Sewing machine
  
• Dimensions: 260 mm H x 300 mm x 160 mm; box 270 mm H x 340 mm x 190 mm
  
• What: Sewing machine
  
• Subject: 17. DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Cole and Co., Edinburgh (Name on work plate)
  Franklin Sewing Machine Co, Birmingham, England (Maker)
  
• Where: England, Warwickshire, Birmingham
  
• Event:
• Description: Lock-stitch sewing machine in a wooden box, an Agenoria by the Franklin Sewing Machine Co. of Birmingham
  
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