Description:
Man's rectangular-shaped, flat wallet or pocketbook made of polychrome wool embroidered flame stitch in a stylized carnation pattern (known as Irish Embroidery in 18th century New England) and edged with dark green wool twill tape, which has "Nathan Somerby his" stiched in black letters at the top near the fold in the center. A note came with the wallet stating that it was "Found in Warren, NH." However, the only Nathan Somerby identified to date is Nathan Somerby (b.1737/38), the son of Abiel Somerby (1701/2-1745) and Mary Noyes Somerby (b.1703) of Newbury, Massachusetts, who married Mary Foote in 1775 in Newbury. 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. A center fold opens the wallet to reveal two halves, or double pockets. The wallet is lined in a pink-maroon, plain woven wool. There is one divider on each side, making two compartments for each of the two sides. Both dividers, as well as the wallet itself, are interfaced with cardboard for shaping. Fair condition. The outside is in poorer condition than the inside. There is crewel thread loss on the folds and concentrated on one side, exposing the linen ground. Unfolding the wallet reveals crewel threads that are much brighter and intact. There are several holes in the pink lining.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2000.19.3 |
