Purse
1600-1625 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
In the 17th century, decorative purses such as this one were rarely used to carry money, as their wealthy owners engaged in few commercial exchanges requiring cash. In addition to serving as 'sweet bags' or 'gift wrapping', purses sometimes contained mirrors for grooming. Others functioned as sewing kits that held needles, thread and tiny scissors.
Designs & Designing
The Jacobeans loved imitating natural forms in their decorative arts and this purse has been made in the shape of a bunch of grapes. Each grape was worked in the colours of blue, purple, green or brown. Originally each had a pearl in the centre, but only two of these remain. A vine leaf has been worked at the top in three shades of green and silver purl.
Materials & Making
The three-dimensional nature of the embroidery is achieved through the use of deep padding under detached buttonhole stitch. The threads over each grape are worked independently of the fabric below and attached only around the edges. The purse is hinged at the bottom and opens to reveal an inner lining of red silk and silver brocade.
In the 17th century, decorative purses such as this one were rarely used to carry money, as their wealthy owners engaged in few commercial exchanges requiring cash. In addition to serving as 'sweet bags' or 'gift wrapping', purses sometimes contained mirrors for grooming. Others functioned as sewing kits that held needles, thread and tiny scissors.
Designs & Designing
The Jacobeans loved imitating natural forms in their decorative arts and this purse has been made in the shape of a bunch of grapes. Each grape was worked in the colours of blue, purple, green or brown. Originally each had a pearl in the centre, but only two of these remain. A vine leaf has been worked at the top in three shades of green and silver purl.
Materials & Making
The three-dimensional nature of the embroidery is achieved through the use of deep padding under detached buttonhole stitch. The threads over each grape are worked independently of the fabric below and attached only around the edges. The purse is hinged at the bottom and opens to reveal an inner lining of red silk and silver brocade.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk, embroidered with coloured silks, silver-gilt and silver thread. Embroidered in England.
Caroline Cartwright, Senior Scientist, Department of Scientific Research identified the pearls as Pinctada sp., found in the pearl oyster, probably Pinctada radiata (2019) |
| Brief description | embroidered, 1600-1629, English; In form of bunch of grapes |
| Physical description | Linen embroidered with coloured silks, silver-gilt and silver thread and pearls, with padded buttonhole stitch and tasselled cords. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Given by M. Stapleton |
| Object history | Purchased from Miss M. Stapleton for 6 pounds and 6 shillings in 1921. RF number is 1921/3411. |
| Summary | Object Type In the 17th century, decorative purses such as this one were rarely used to carry money, as their wealthy owners engaged in few commercial exchanges requiring cash. In addition to serving as 'sweet bags' or 'gift wrapping', purses sometimes contained mirrors for grooming. Others functioned as sewing kits that held needles, thread and tiny scissors. Designs & Designing The Jacobeans loved imitating natural forms in their decorative arts and this purse has been made in the shape of a bunch of grapes. Each grape was worked in the colours of blue, purple, green or brown. Originally each had a pearl in the centre, but only two of these remain. A vine leaf has been worked at the top in three shades of green and silver purl. Materials & Making The three-dimensional nature of the embroidery is achieved through the use of deep padding under detached buttonhole stitch. The threads over each grape are worked independently of the fabric below and attached only around the edges. The purse is hinged at the bottom and opens to reveal an inner lining of red silk and silver brocade. |
| Bibliographic reference | John Lea Nevinson, Catalogue of English Domestic Embroidery of the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries, Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Textiles, London: HMSO, 1938, p.99, plate LXIX |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.172-1921 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 25, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
