Description:
Man's wallet or pocketbook embroidered with red and cream flowers done "half-silk" (silk warp and cotton weft) on a linen ground, and with the date "1780" and a monogram with two initials, which might be "E W." 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; Cotton; Linen; Silk Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.409 |
