Not currently on display at the V&A

Purse

1725-1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Many varieties of purse were made in the 18th century, including framed purses using the new types of alloy which simulated gold, known in England as pinchbeck after its inventor. The metal mount of this shield-shaped purse, which has a snap-fastening device, might be a pinchbeck. The purse is made of linen embroidered with metal purl, silver and gold thread and coloured silk in laid and couched work and French knots. The edges are decorated with a thick braid of gold strip, purl and chain. One one side of the purse is a lady in the character of Diana the Huntress, with a stag behind her, and on the other side is a gentleman holding a gun with a wild boar at his feet.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen, silk, silver, gold, pinchbeck; hand-woven, hand-embroidered, hand-sewn
Brief description
Bag of linen embroidered with coloured silks and metal threads, 1725-1750, French; pinchbeck frame fastening
Physical description
Bag made of 4 shield-shaped panels, 2 embroidered, 2 of carnation silk taffeta, lined with ivory silk sarsenet. The embroidered panels are made of linen worked in coloured silks and couched with silver, silver-gilt filé, strip and purl. One side of the purse is a lady, in the character depicts Diana the Huntress, with a stag. On the other side is a hunter holding a musket, with a wild boar at his feet. The two sides of the purse are attached to a pinchbeck mount which has a snap-fastening device.
Dimensions
  • Length: 11.0cm (approx)
  • Width: 9.5cm (approx)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Dame Ada MacNaghten
Subjects depicted
Summary
Many varieties of purse were made in the 18th century, including framed purses using the new types of alloy which simulated gold, known in England as pinchbeck after its inventor. The metal mount of this shield-shaped purse, which has a snap-fastening device, might be a pinchbeck. The purse is made of linen embroidered with metal purl, silver and gold thread and coloured silk in laid and couched work and French knots. The edges are decorated with a thick braid of gold strip, purl and chain. One one side of the purse is a lady in the character of Diana the Huntress, with a stag behind her, and on the other side is a gentleman holding a gun with a wild boar at his feet.
Collection
Accession number
T.44-1970

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Record createdJuly 29, 2005
Record URL
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