Embroidered Pocket

Periodca. 1810 - 1830

MediumPlied silk thread, silk, silk velvet, cotton cording, and chamois leather

Dimensions3.5 × 3 × 0.5 in. (8.9 × 7.6 × 1.3 cm)

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineMuseum Collection

Object number1995.524

DescriptionA small ovoid pouch consisting of two linen panels worked entirely in Queen stitch in pale pink, medium green, light brown, tan, and off-white plied silk thread. The panels are sewn together and lined with soft chamois leather. Along the top of the open pouch, pairs of small decorative flaps are constructed of rich russet brown silk velvet, trimmed with pale pink silk sewn around fine cotton cord, creating a piped edging. The neck of the open pouch includes a narrow band of brown silk, possibly meant for a drawstring closure channel.
Curatorial RemarksThis small open storage pouch is highly decorative, representing numerous hours of needlework by its unknown maker. The surface of the pouch is quite decorative, worked entirely in Queen stitch. The silk thread colors, while similar, do vary between the strawberry motifs. This may indicate that the maker was using a variety of leftover lengths of silk thread to create her small storage case. The use of the little pouch is unknown. However, the fact that it is lined in soft chamois leather and its size point to its possible use as a storage pouch for a man's pocket watch.

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