Description:
Man's rectangular, flat wallet or pocketbook decorated with flame stitch embroidery in wool on a linen canvas ground. 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 wallet closes at the top with a fold-over flap and is secured by yellow wool twill tape, which also edges the wallet on the outside. The wallet is lined in a pink, plain weave wool. There is one divider, creating two compartments. Only the divider is interfaced with a cardboard stiffner. The rest of the wallet (front, back, and flap) is interfaced with a bleached, plain weave linen, giving it a softer feel and structure.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2000.30.2 |
