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Culture:American
Title:man's pocketbook
Date Made:18th century
Type:Personal Equipment
Materials:textile: wool, linen; pasteboard
Place Made:United States; New England?
Measurements:overall: 6 1/2 in x 4 in; 16.51 cm x 10.16 cm
Accession Number:  HD F.298
Museum Collection:  Historic Deerfield
F-298f.jpg

Description:
Man's pocketbook or wallet decorated in a floral design in wool crewel embroidery on linen with the ground stitch known as the "Rumanian stitch," which is lined and edged in wool. Cases for holding documents, paper money, letters and business cards were made by women to be used by men. The flame stitch pattern was easily accomplished, popular in a wide range of designs, and impressed people with its color, workmanship, and connotation of wealth when presented in the marketplace. Fine needlework defined status for both ladies and gentlemen during the 18th century, and reflected well on a genteel household where women had the skill and time to execute such work. Some of these wallets may also have been carried by a woman; however, the majority of these surviving accessories are embroiderd with men's names which give us the impression that they were mostly used by men.

Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Linen; Wool

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.298

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.

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