Pocket

DateCa. 1810

OriginAmerica, New York, Albany (probably)

MediumCottons, block printed, pieced and backed with cotton

Dimensions13 5/8" H X 13 1/4" W

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Cora Ginsburg

Object number1991-465,B

DescriptionWoman's tie-on pocket made of printed cottons, pieced together from 84 squares and rectangles, bound with straight-grain and bias printed cottons and backed with cotton. The block printed patches consist of florals, stripes, dots, printed upholstery binding, and two small patches that match the textile used in gown "1991-465,A." Linen ties.
Label TextIn the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, women’s gowns did not have integral pockets stitched into the skirts. Instead, to carry their necessities women wore pouches around their waists beneath their skirts.

This pocket came with a printed cotton gown with raised waist and a slightly trained skirt, said to have been worn in Albany, New York and probably dating around 1800. Two of the patches in this pocket match the small-scale floral printed cotton of the gown itself. It is possible the pocket was constructed from scraps at a later date than the gown.
ProvenanceAccording to donor, pocket and matching gown have Albany, New York history.