Embroiderer’s broach (Period)

An embroiderer’s broach is a combined bodkin and spindle, used as a tool for picking, winding, and twisting thread.  It was a period heraldic charge, found in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Broderers, 1558 [Bromley & Child 31].  Its default orientation is with the forked end to chief.  See also lace bobbin.

The Embroiderer’s Guild of Madrone bears:  Azure, an empty quill, an embroiderer’s broach palewise, and a garb of cotton, one and two argent, all joined by a Bowen knot in cross and open in base Or.