Description:
White linen pocket decorated with scrolling floral sprays in blue crewel embroidery and initialed "MH" for Molly Johnson Hawks (1758-1804) of Colrain, Massachusetts. In 1779, Molly married Jonathan Hawks (1755-1831), the son of Gershom Hawks (1716-1799) of Charlemont, Massachusetts. Before the middle of the 19th century, women's clothing rarely incorporated pockets. Often decorated with embroidered designs and the initials of the owner, a woman’s pocket or workbag was an extension of her self-worth, pride, and fine skill with a needle even though it was usually out of sight. Worn tied around the waist, the pocket was positioned at the wearer’s hip and worn over the shift (the basic linen undergarment) and under the outer skirt, accessible through specially positioned slits in the outer skirt. Pockets could contain such items as small personal items, sewing tools, scissors, pin-cushion, money, and small publications. This pocket has blue and yellow wool yarns; blue and white checked linen edging; modern plain weave cotton edging; and modern string ties.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Embroidery; Linen; Wool Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.054 |
