purse

A small embroidered silk bag made of deep blue silk satin and is rectangular in shape with rounded ends. It is embroidered with two different motifs, both are embroidered with white silk. On one side is a bamboo cane in leaf, on the other two fruits, possibly pomegranates. The bag has a purple draw string handle. Looped through the drawstring on each side is a braided endless knot and two brown tassels. The tassels are wrapped with gold-coloured metal-wrapped thread and have two knots above them in pink, turquoise, green and blue. The bag is lined with pink tabby woven cotton.

Bamboo in leaf is a symbol of long life and endurance and good health since it flourishes in winter, and two pomegranates is a symbol of fertility and abundance.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
1973.101
Date
early 20th century
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 15.1575 x 3.3465 in.; 385 x 85 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
silk (textile); silk (fiber); thread; braid; cotton (textile)
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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