Purse
Date1600-1625
OriginEngland
MediumLinen Canvas (Ground); Silk Threads (Embroidery), Metallic Silber Cord (Embroidery); Silk (Lining)
DimensionsLength: 4 3/4"; Width: 4 1/4"
Credit LineGift of Anonymous Donors
Object number1971-1467
DescriptionPurse or sweet bag embroidered with metallic silver cord and polychrome silk on linen canvas ground. The silver ground of the purse is embroidered in Plaited Gobelin stitch. The overall design consists of raised intertwining silver branches extending from common stem at center bottom of bag, composed of Plaited Braid stitch. Floral design consists of red carnation flowers, pink thistles, and blue borage flowers on silver ground. Along the top is a band of green with sixteen punched holes which would have originally held drawstrings. Both the band and the floral motifs have been rendered in tent stich. The same design shows on both sides. Attached to the bottom are three small metallic-thread covered Turk's Head Knot Tassels. The central tassel hangs from a base loop extending from the purse bottom. The tassels at the right and left corners of the bag are seemingly sewn directly in to the purse base. The seams of the bag are covered in silver cords embroidered into what is likely a tight Ceylon Stitch.Construction History:
1. Initial Construction between the years 1600 and 1625
2. Unkown Date: Loss or removal of purse drawstrings and handle
3. Unkown Date: Two corner tassles at purse bottom likely orignally had base loops similar to the central tassle and were sewn into the bag after the original construction in order to reattach them.
4. Unknown Date: The original lining was replaced with a different silk
ProvenanceEx Coll: Tomlinson, Mrs. DeWitt Clinton Cohen,Ginsburg & Levy, Percival Griffiths.
