Pair of Pockets
1700-1725 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 18th century, women’s pockets were not sewn into their gowns. Instead they were attached to a tape and tied around the waist as separate garments. Worn under the hoops and petticoats, they were accessed through openings in the gown and petticoat seams.
Pockets of the early 18th century show a variety of influences in their embroidery designs. Some come from imported Indian textiles, others from various types of British needlework found on both dress and furnishings. The stitched pattern of overlapping circles seen here can also be seen on quilted bed and cushion covers. The spiky flowers and leaves and use of small floral motifs show the influence of Indian printed cottons. Typical of pocket embroidery is the placement of a border around the edge and the pocket opening with a repeated design filling the centre.
The arrangement of the colours defining the motifs is slightly different on each pocket.
Pockets of the early 18th century show a variety of influences in their embroidery designs. Some come from imported Indian textiles, others from various types of British needlework found on both dress and furnishings. The stitched pattern of overlapping circles seen here can also be seen on quilted bed and cushion covers. The spiky flowers and leaves and use of small floral motifs show the influence of Indian printed cottons. Typical of pocket embroidery is the placement of a border around the edge and the pocket opening with a repeated design filling the centre.
The arrangement of the colours defining the motifs is slightly different on each pocket.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts. |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, hand-sewn with linen thread and embroidered in coloured silks, with silk ribbon and linen tape |
| Brief description | Pair of women's pockets of embroidered linen, 1700-25, British |
| Physical description | Linen pockets embroidered with silk thread, bound with green silk ribbon and attached to linen tape ties. The ground has been quilted in a pattern of overlapping circles and embroidered with floral motifs. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Purchased from the artist Talbot Hughes in 1910. |
| Summary | In the 18th century, women’s pockets were not sewn into their gowns. Instead they were attached to a tape and tied around the waist as separate garments. Worn under the hoops and petticoats, they were accessed through openings in the gown and petticoat seams. Pockets of the early 18th century show a variety of influences in their embroidery designs. Some come from imported Indian textiles, others from various types of British needlework found on both dress and furnishings. The stitched pattern of overlapping circles seen here can also be seen on quilted bed and cushion covers. The spiky flowers and leaves and use of small floral motifs show the influence of Indian printed cottons. Typical of pocket embroidery is the placement of a border around the edge and the pocket opening with a repeated design filling the centre. The arrangement of the colours defining the motifs is slightly different on each pocket. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.281&A-1910 |
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| Record created | February 25, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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