Description:
Man's rectangular, flat wallet or pocketbook with a fold-over flap and embroidered with polychrome silk done in a flame stitch (or Irish stitch) (carnations) on an unbleached linen ground. The wallet is edged in a dark green silk braid. Inside, there are about three compartments. The compartment walls are interfaced with cardboard and covered with silk, including pieced brocade, moire, and a dark green plain weave silk. The flap front and back of wallet are also interfaced with cardboard. 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. The condition is fair to good.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2000.19.4 |
