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Bag

Bag

  • Place of origin:

    Germany (made)

  • Date:

    14th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Linen embroidered in silk, with couched metal thread

  • Museum number:

    8313-1863

  • Gallery location:

    On short term loan out for exhibition

This pretty little bag is embroidered in crimson, yellow and white silk showing a trellis pattern forming spaces in which are geometric devices. Four of the spaces on each side are ornamented with a pelican in her piety pecking its breast, interlaced blossom devices, a curved rendering of the gammadion (symbol of the Cross) and the letter 'M' worked in gold thread. These symbols suggest the bag had a religious use. It may originally have contained relics.

Physical description

A length of silk embroidered linen folded over into a bag, sides stitched together decoratively in silk. Crimson, yellow and white silk embroidery in short stitches of trellis pattern forming spaces in which are geometric devices, four of the speces on each side are ornamented with a pelican in her piety pecking its breast, interlaced blossom devices, a curved rendering of the gammadion and the letter 'M' worked in gold thread, couched. Lining of red plain woven silk, drawstring opening with cord and 'tassels' at each end of opening made up of similarly coloured silks used in embroidery.

Place of Origin

Germany (made)

Date

14th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Linen embroidered in silk, with couched metal thread

Dimensions

Height: 147 mm Height of embroidered purse, Width: 125 mm Width of embroidered purse, Length: 470 mm Length of silk twisted cord handle

Descriptive line

Silk embroidered linen bag with geometric pattern and pelican, gammadion and letter M in gold.

Materials

Linen; Silk; Silk thread; Metal thread

Techniques

Plain weave; Embroidery; Couching

Subjects depicted

Pelican

Categories

Ecclesiastical textiles; Embroidery; Images Online; Europeana Fashion Project

Collection

Textiles and Fashion Collection

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