Small Rocket thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Small Rocket

Bag
1996 (made)
Artist/Maker
Amberg, Bill (designer)
Place of origin
Great Britain (made)

A group of British accessory makers emerged in the 1990s, in the long tradition of the artist-craftsman. This group included Bill Amberg, a leather-goods designer and maker who ran a small company in London creating the finest handbags and briefcases. Amberg gives this classic design a contemporary appeal by juxtaposing the finest bridle leather with brushed aluminium handles


Object details

Categories
Accessories
Fashion
SCRAN
Bags
Object type
Bag
TitleSmall Rocket (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Leather, aluminium, nickel and suede
Leather
Aluminium
Nickel
Suede
Brief description
Handbag, leather, aluminium, 'Small Rocket' designed by Bill Amberg, Great Britain, 1996
Physical description
Handbag of black bridle leather with cast aluminium handles, nickel clamped feet and collar studs, and green suede lining. Rectangular, briefcase style
Dimensions
  • Including handle height: 35cm
  • Width: 41cm
  • Depth: 10cm
Gallery label
  • Leather has been used to make clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories for millennia. It is valued for its durability, reparability and waterproof qualities. Processes such as tanning, dying and embossing modify leather’s natural appearance, transforming the material and permitting experimentation with colours and textures. In recent years, questions about animal welfare and the fashion industry have resulted in many companies having stopped using exotic animal skins while others have pledged to only use leather produced as a by-product of the food industry. V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out.(12/2020)
  • Bill Amberg, a top craftsman, is compelled by a minimalist aesthetic. Juxtaposing the finest bridle leather with brushed aluminium handles, a classic design is given contemporary appeal.(1997)
Credit line
Given by the designer
Summary
A group of British accessory makers emerged in the 1990s, in the long tradition of the artist-craftsman. This group included Bill Amberg, a leather-goods designer and maker who ran a small company in London creating the finest handbags and briefcases. Amberg gives this classic design a contemporary appeal by juxtaposing the finest bridle leather with brushed aluminium handles
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.629-1996

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Record createdSeptember 15, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O84224/small-rocket-bag-amberg-bill/
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