Cartridge Pouch thumbnail 1
Cartridge Pouch thumbnail 2
Not on display

Cartridge Pouch

1750-1758 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Cartridge pouch is made of reddish-brown calf leather, covered with wool and ornately embroidered. It has a flat pocket and covering flap, and a long strap fastened with a silver buckle for suspension from the shoulder. The front of the flap is covered with yellow woollen cloth with "applique" pieces of crimson and red velvet and light blue ribbed silk, embroidered with silver-gilt and silver thread, silver strips; and coloured silks. Much of the embroidery is raised by padding. The strap is covered with similar yellow cloth embroidered with silver thread. Behind the flap is a short strap and leather button for attachment to the pocket. There is a reddish linen lining to strap.

On the flap are the Royal Arms of England as borne by Kings George I and II; in the lower corners are two grenades. The strap has a repeating row of conventional floral devices. There is a broad trimming of silver braid all round the strap and flap of the bag. On the back is pasted a paper with the following words: 'charles dufoux pere de francois capt de grenadiers dans le regt de bergeret fut detaché a la tete de sa compagnie le 29 Sept 1738 pour aller attaquer le chateau de borcq il ser empara et fit 26 grenadiers et 2 dragons prisonniers ainsi que le commandant hanovrien au quel il prit la presente giberne.'

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidery in silk and metal thread and applied work on leather
Brief description
Cartridge pouch, embroidery in silk and metal thread and applied work on wool and leather, England, 1750-58.
Physical description
Cartridge pouch is made of reddish-brown calf leather, covered with wool and ornately embroidered. It has a flat pocket and covering flap, and a long strap fastened with a silver buckle for suspension from the shoulder. The front of the flap is covered with yellow woollen cloth with "applique" pieces of crimson and red velvet and light blue ribbed silk, embroidered with silver-gilt and silver thread, silver strips; and coloured silks. Much of the embroidery is raised by padding. The strap is covered with similar yellow cloth embroidered with silver thread. Behind the flap is a short strap and leather button for attachment to the pocket. There is a reddish linen lining to strap.

On the flap are the Royal Arms of England as borne by Kings George I and II; in the lower corners are two grenades. The strap has a repeating row of conventional floral devices. There is a broad trimming of silver braid all round the strap and flap of the bag. On the back is pasted a paper with the following words: 'charles dufoux pere de francois capt de grenadiers dans le regt de bergeret fut detaché a la tete de sa compagnie le 29 Sept 1738 pour aller attaquer le chateau de borcq il ser empara et fit 26 grenadiers et 2 dragons prisonniers ainsi que le commandant hanovrien au quel il prit la presente giberne.'
Dimensions
  • Bag length: 14.25in
  • Bag width: 13in
  • Strap length: 38.25in
  • Strap width: 3.75in
  • Buckle length: 4.25in
  • Width: 2.625in
Marks and inscriptions
Gallery label
(12/2020)
This ornately embroidered cartridge pouch bears the royal arms of both King George I and of King George II. It belonged to an officer of a Hanoverian regiment who was captured in France in 1758. The bag is equipped with a shoulder strap to be worn across the body and it would have contained a supply of cartridges for a musket.

V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out.
Object history
Said to have been captured from a Hanoverian officer by a French grenadier in 1758.

Purchased. Registered File number 81288/1903.
Collection
Accession number
331-1903

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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