Before the holidays I was up in mid coast Maine for a show and purchased a couple of old handmade saws and an antique iron heart quilting clamp from a dealer who always has interesting things, all I believe having come from one collection. I then returned a few weeks ago to find that he had put out a few more--one larger one that I sold last week and then this excellent matching pair!  Quilting clamps were/are used on a quilting frame to hold fabric layers taut and straight, and there is a whole genre of them called "heart clamps," for the hearts at the ends of the screws, as here.  These were hand-forged, 19th century, with relatively short screws suggesting made for a very specific quilting frame, and with a charmingly imperfect shape to that heart. I find them really wonderful folk objects whether one cares about quilting or not, and also very excellent valentines. 

Price is per clamp, add 2 to your cart for the pair. Screws 3" l. Clamps 3 1/8" x 2 1/4". Both in great antique condition, screws turning smoothly and holding tight.