Purse
Dateca. 1800
OriginEurope
MediumSilk Net (used for Ground fabric), Silk Threads (Used for Petit-Point Embroidery and Construction), Silver Threads (Used for Embroidery in base), Gold Metallic Thread (Used for Drawstring), Kid Leather (Used for Lining), Paper or Cardboard (Support in Circular Base)
DimensionsHeight: 4"; Depth: 5"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1951-507
DescriptionGaming purse, typically used at a gaming table to hold coins or counters. Composed of six silk net gores, alternately red, violet, and white with designs constructed in petit point embroidery. Two violet panels, one with designs of playing cards, a chess board, and dice and the other with designs of unkown long elements, possible golf clubs or other gaming tools. The two white panels have designs of bunches of flowers among green foliage. One white panel also has a design of a golden harp over the floral elements. One red panel depicts an eagle on a live tree branch while the opposite red panel shows two actors in mid-sixteenth century clothing. Along each seam, a braided cord of gold and dark thread is sewn with loops intermittenly added and tacked down to the purse. At the bottom of the bag, a diagonally striped panel of silver and yellow threads attached to a hard, circular base creates a small stand-like protrusion. The bottom of the circular base is embellished with a petit point design of butterfly. At the top of the bag a thick, twisted gold thread drawstring is run through eighteen small brass rings. The interior of the bag is lined in white kid leather lining.Construction History:
1. Initially Constructed ca. 1800
2. Unknown Date: Attempts at repairing torn or missing panel pieces using silk thread, particularly at white panel with floral embroidery
3. Drawstring may not be original to purse.
4. March 15, 1954: Cleaning, repairing, restoring by Ernest LoNano for Margaret Hunter Shop
