18th Century Purse Sweet Bag Pear Shape Circa 1720 Museum Quality

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18th Century Purse Sweet Bag Pear Shape Circa 1720 Museum Quality:
$811.31

We are delighted to offer this rare survivor that came to usfrom the deceased estate sale of a lifelong textile collector - her wonderfultextile pieces ranged from the 1600s through to the 1930s. This small purseoften referred to as a sweet bag is English in origin and dates from the end ofthe 17th start of the 18th century.

See a similar fruit designed purse example at The V& A(a bunch of grapes), also similar bellows needlework purse at the V & Amuseum made by Martha Edlin and found in her casket. An identical sweetmeatpurse at the Simone Handbag Museum in Seoul and an identical shaped purse withsilver frame and parrot design at The Met Museum.See also an identical shaped purse at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, part of The Royal Collection that is reputed to have belonged to Mary Queen of Scots.

Our purse definitely mimics a soft fruit. We know fromhistory that pears and quince were both popular during the 16th and 17thcenturies. We see the green outer flesh and seed or stone to thecenter. Thissmall palm sized purse is worked in a ground stitch with silver metal passingthread giving a couched appearance. We are not stitching technique expertsunsure if it is Elizabethan ground stitch, half stitch or trammed. All that wecan say for certain is that the overall effect of the concentric couched pearshape is fantastically accomplished. Around the outer perimeter is a handworked braid of silver wrapped thread (file). To the inside is a very vibrantwoven silk lining of salmon pink, cerise and white striped. Whether this littlepurse is unfinished, perhaps waiting for its metal frame or whether it was apomander for holding sweet smelling herbs...we are not sure.

Size approx: Just under 10.5 cm by 9 cm.

Condition: Excellent for a piece of this age. There are signsof aging. The silver passing to the outer braid is very rubbed, exposing itswhite silk core. The silver passing to the coloured thread shape has dulled alittle but still sparkles to give a flavour of its original vibrancy. The silkinterior is pristine. This delight has seldom if ever been used. Museum worthyindeed.

Other extant items displayed in the last two images are for scale or ambiance only and are not included with this sale.

Item ID:10045