Handwoven Bag

1981.01.01.JPG

Subject

Accessories

Title

Handwoven Bag

Date

ca. 1800

Description

The donor information collected with this handwoven and handsewn bag indicates that it belonged to a member of the donor's family in Philadelphia and was used to hold personal items. The small blue and white plaid fabric is in good condition and suggests little use. The design is similar to a pocketbook used by both men and women in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with one pocket and a deep flap to secure the opening.

Such pocketbooks could hold currency and important papers, hdden away deep in a man's coat pocket for security. Woman may carry spectacles, keys, small sewing tools and other accessories as well as money in their pocketbook. This pocketbook's larger size suggests it may have been intended to be used by a man. 

Source

Donor: Sarah Smith

Identifier

URI 1981.01.01

Contributor

Haley Fanara

Collection

Citation

“Handwoven Bag,” Historic Textile and Costume Collection, accessed May 2, 2024, https://uritextilecollection.omeka.net/items/show/294.