Small shield-shaped purse on steel frame with spring catch, embroidered front and back in fine knot stitch with metal threads. One side shows a figure of a youth in a green coat, knee breeches, red stockings, and a round cap with a tassel holding a spade, with a castle and tree in the background. The other side shows a young woman in green bodice, red skirt, apron and green hat, holding a basket of flowers, with a house and trees in the background. With an elaborate enframement of gold embroidery in purl and flat satin stitches. The sides of the purse are of orange velvet, with woven gold metallic braid at the edges; lined with rose silk taffeta.
Credit: Gift of Irwin Untermyer
mid-18th century
Medium: silk and metal thread embroidery on silk foundation Technique: embroidered in stem, satin, padded satin and knotting stitches with attached coils of gilt foil and gilt wire on plain weave foundation
1959-170-5
Image and text © Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2020
Where you'll find this
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Permanent collection