Pocket book
Object name
Date made
Circa 1780-1800
Place made
Description
Circa 1780-1800 teal green satin pocket book with two flapped pockets on the inside and overall quilting.
Content description
Circa 1780-1800 teal green satin pocket book with two flapped pockets on the inside and overall quilting. The pocket book is quilted in a diamond pattern, worked in teal silk chain stitches. The object is bordered by a wave design made of white silk chain stitches. This motif, perhaps loosely inspired by Neoclassical aesthetics, winds around all four corners of the rectangular pocketbook and is neatly enclosed within parallel lines of the same cream thread. The cream silk lining is degraded and stabilised with straight stitches. Unlike some other pocket books of the time, this piece does not feature an inner lock.
Pocket books were carried by both men and women in the 18th and early 19th centuries, tucked away in a man’s coat pocket or the pockets women wore under their skirts. These pocket books held precious objects such as paper money, letters, important documents, and sewing supplies. In the United States the vast majority of pocket books were adorned in flame stitch designs worked in wool threads, whereas in Europe designs tended to be more floral and worked in silk threads. It is believed that six pocket books from this period were given to the RSN by Mary of Teck, Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India. This is one of that group.
Pocket books were carried by both men and women in the 18th and early 19th centuries, tucked away in a man’s coat pocket or the pockets women wore under their skirts. These pocket books held precious objects such as paper money, letters, important documents, and sewing supplies. In the United States the vast majority of pocket books were adorned in flame stitch designs worked in wool threads, whereas in Europe designs tended to be more floral and worked in silk threads. It is believed that six pocket books from this period were given to the RSN by Mary of Teck, Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India. This is one of that group.
Dimensions
width: 15cm
length: 19cm
length: 19cm
Materials
Stitches
Techniques
Credit line
Possible gift of Her Majesty Queen Mary.
Catalogue number
RSN.32.a
© Royal School of Needlework