Terms and conditions of use
Purse
(early 17th century)
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1970
- Gallery location
- Not on display
About this work
This small square purse is typical of bags of the period, sometimes described as ‘sweet bags’ because they held sweet powders to scent clothes and linen. A single plant laden with flowers and leaves fills the surface. These tent-stitched flowers contrast with the background which is worked extravagantly in expensive silver thread using Gobelin stitch. The once-bright gold and silver stems are worked in a variety of plaited braid stitches. One solitary sequin remains, presumably the sole survivor of many others which would have made this bag even more luxurious and glittering.
Artwork Details
Felton Bequest, 1970
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest