American Flame Stitch Pocketbook, 18th century
Name/Title
American Flame Stitch Pocketbook, 18th centuryEntry/Object ID
2022.5.3Tags
Colonial British America, Counted-thread embroidery, Flame Stitch, Florentine stitch, Irish Stitch, PocketbookDescription
The envelope-shaped trifold pocketbook with flame stitch embroidery and a wavy top flap edged with red twill tape sewn around all edges. The twill tape also has extensions that would have served to secure the closure. The interior is lined with dark pink salmon silk and contains two compartments with side gussets. Envelope-shaped triple fold pocketbook with curved-wavy flap in wool on canvas in Flame stitch. Stiff paper (light cardboard) faced with canvas work and lined in dark pink salmon silk. One divider, stiffened by paper and lined with pink silk is attached to main body by two pink silk gussets to each side. All edges bound with pink twill tape. Attached to front flap is pink silk tape approximately extending from the two side 'waves' sewn together, and another extending from the center 'wave' that is now torn, but at one time was longer and was used to tie the pocketbook closed.. Canvas work is a zig-zag pattern with diamonds in yellow, green, red, and blue wool thread.Use
To hold correspondence, documents and currencyContext
Flame stitch wallets were especially popular from the 1740s to the 1790s. A man’s wallet, often embroidered by a female member of his family, might contain important correspondence, documents, and currency.Collection
ERS Decorative ObjectsCategory
Clothing and dress