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.
On this pair of pockets, the embroidery designs on each are similar but not identical, suggesting both were hand-drawn. The motif of flowers growing from pots was a popular one in British embroidery from 1700 to 1750, and can be found on aprons and petticoats. The use of wool in shaded colours evolved from crewel work (worsted embroidery) of the late 1600s. This example is very simple in design and possibly the work of an amateur.
The pockets may have been handed down to another person who found them too small. Each pocket has been extended at the top by about 4 cms.
On this pair of pockets, the embroidery designs on each are similar but not identical, suggesting both were hand-drawn. The motif of flowers growing from pots was a popular one in British embroidery from 1700 to 1750, and can be found on aprons and petticoats. The use of wool in shaded colours evolved from crewel work (worsted embroidery) of the late 1600s. This example is very simple in design and possibly the work of an amateur.
The pockets may have been handed down to another person who found them too small. Each pocket has been extended at the top by about 4 cms.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts. |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, wool; hand-woven, hand-embroidered, hand-sewn |
| Brief description | Pair of women's pockets of linen twill, 1700-1735, British; embroidered with coloured worsted, bound with worsted tape, linen ties |
| Physical description | Pair of women's pockets of linen twill with crewel embroidery in yellow, green and pink worsted thread with chain and stem stitches. They are worked in a design of a flower pot with flowering plant. The pockets are bound with green worsted tape and sewn to a linen tape tie. Each pocket has been lengthened at the top by about 4 cm. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd. |
| Object history | Given by Messrs. Harrods in 1913. Part of a very large collection of historical dress bought by them from the artist Talbot Hughes who amassed the objects in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Historical significance: An example of an early 18th century pair of women's pockets. These pair illustrate that they were altered later possibly for someone taller with larger hands. |
| 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. On this pair of pockets, the embroidery designs on each are similar but not identical, suggesting both were hand-drawn. The motif of flowers growing from pots was a popular one in British embroidery from 1700 to 1750, and can be found on aprons and petticoats. The use of wool in shaded colours evolved from crewel work (worsted embroidery) of the late 1600s. This example is very simple in design and possibly the work of an amateur. The pockets may have been handed down to another person who found them too small. Each pocket has been extended at the top by about 4 cms. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.697:B, C-1913 |
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| Record created | December 20, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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