#6714 $1,100
Bead knitted bag, c.1833
This historically important bag from the Romantic period came from the private collection of Desire Smith, author of Handbag Chic. Because of the German inscription on the bag, it could well be Pennsylvania Dutch in origin. Unfortunately I do not have a provenance.
Bead knitting incorporates beads into the design during knitting by stringing them on the knitting yarn. The technique was very popular in the early 19th century. The knitted product rarely had the bead loss common when beads are stitched onto an existing cloth surface.
The bag is knitted from fine red cotton/wool yarn and white glass seed beads. The date "1833" is part of the design.
The condition is almost excellent. The bag is slightly frayed around the top and has a few small mends. These are minor problems that do not detract from the overall appearance.
It measures 7" tall by 5 1/2" wide.
