Pocket book
Object name
Date made
19th century
Place made
Description
19th-century patchwork pocket book with floral and polka dot designs.
Content description
19th-century trifold patchwork pocket book with floral and polka dot designs. Fastened with a small brass snap, the pocket book is reinforced with board for a more structured surface. The inner lining is a patterned silk and is bordered in a couched light pink cord. The outside is comprised of small hexagonal chintz patchwork pieces, most with a cream coloured background. The centre pieces have small pink polka dots, and the edges have a variety of different painted flowers, including pansies, roses, daisies, forget-me-nots, and others. These individual pieces are still waxed and therefore indicate that they have not been washed, suggesting it is not likely they were recycled from other garments or household furnishings.
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: 19cm
length: 18cm
length: 18cm
Materials
Stitches
Motifs
Credit line
Possible gift of Her Majesty Queen Mary.
Catalogue number
RSN.32.e
© Royal School of Needlework