Terms and conditions of use
Purse
(early 17th century)
- Medium
- linen, silk (thread, lining), gilt-metal (thread), seed pearls
- Measurements
- 40.0 × 13.6 × 1.8 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- (England)
- Inscription
- none
- Accession Number
- D59-1970
- Department
- International Fashion and Textiles
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1970
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest - Gallery location
- 17th & 18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International - About this work
-
This small square purse is typical of bags of the period, sometimes described as ‘sweet bags’ because they held sweet powders to scent clothes and linen. A single plant laden with flowers and leaves fills the surface. These tent-stitched flowers contrast with the background which is worked extravagantly in expensive silver thread using Gobelin stitch. The once-bright gold and silver stems are worked in a variety of plaited braid stitches. One solitary sequin remains, presumably the sole survivor of many others which would have made this bag even more luxurious and glittering.
- Physical description
- A small square purse, or sweete bag, linen ground embroidered with a design of Tudor roses, leaves and coiling stems in coloured silks, gold and silver metallic thread. Linen cord.