Horse Chestnut bag with Conker purse thumbnail 1
Horse Chestnut bag with Conker purse thumbnail 2
Not on display

Horse Chestnut bag with Conker purse

Bag and Purse
1996 (made)
Artist/Maker
Gibbs, Emily Jo (maker)
Place of origin
Great Britain (made)

Emily Jo Gibbs is one of a group of British accessory makers who emerged in the 1990s, in the long tradition of the artist-craftsmen. Gibbs creates delicate purses and bags in metals and silks.

Object details

Categories
Images Online
Accessories
Fashion
Bags
Object type
Bag and purse
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bag
  • Purse
TitleHorse Chestnut bag with Conker purse
Materials and techniques
Silk dupion with copper wire and silk satin
Silk (Textile)
Copper
Satin Weave
Brief description
Bag and purse, silk dupion, copper wire, silk satin, by Emily Jo Gibbs, Great Britain, 1996.
Physical description
Horse chestnut bag and purse in silk dupion with copper wire and silk satin.
Dimensions
  • Height: 170mm
  • Width: 170mm
  • Depth: 170mm
  • Length: 380mm (Note: strap length)
  • Length: 170mm (Note: strap drop)
Gallery label
(12/2020)
FASCINATION WITH THE NATURAL WORLD

Bag designs have long been inspired by the vibrant colours and shapes of the natural world. Pineapples, for example, became a symbol of opulence and exoticism across the arts after their introduction into Europe in the 17th century. 'Pineapple Mania' reached a pinnacle in 19th century England when pineapple-shaped bags and accessories were the height of fashion [T.531&2-1996]. Contemporary designers have continued this trend by using realistic materials and shapes, such as Emily Jo Gibbs' spiky horse chestnut bag that opens to reveal a conker-shaped purse.

V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out.
Credit line
Given by the artist
Summary
Emily Jo Gibbs is one of a group of British accessory makers who emerged in the 1990s, in the long tradition of the artist-craftsmen. Gibbs creates delicate purses and bags in metals and silks.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.531:1, 2-1996

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Record createdNovember 6, 2002
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O69383/horse-chestnut-bag-with-conker-bag-and-purse-gibbs-emily-jo/
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