Quilted pocket of cotton fabrics, oblong shaped with an 8-point star at center above a bar having four squares. Fact of pocket is pieces using three printed fabrics (two of red/pink and the third of brown), while another print of blue and white fills in the sides. Binding at edges, including the 6-inch-long central opening, is of another pink and red print. Two tying strings of commercial, re-striped cotton tape are attached to extensions of this binding at top corners.
Reverse side is of brown print showing spidering vining with scattered leafy boughs containing hanging coral-colored fruits. (by Wendell Zercher)
Provenance
Donor believes bag might have been used by one of her grandfather, Isaiah D. Stehman's sisters, Alice or Ann Stehman. However, it was likely used by an earlier ancestor. (WZ)
Date Range
Mid-19th century
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 2
Storage Cabinet
Unit 13
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Storage Container
Box 0059
Object Name
Purse
Height (cm)
35.56
Height (ft)
1.1666666667
Height (in)
14
Width (cm)
27.94
Width (ft)
0.9166666667
Width (in)
11
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2001-08-24
Condition Notes
Generally in good condition, several places showing wear and graying and one print (red) having considerable deterioration on the printed flowers. Large hold in top right star point as well as intersection of two right star point. Multiple stains across surface, especially a 5-inch-square block in one bottom corner. Strings are worn at point and the one is likely repaired as it is shorter than the other.
Object ID
G.01.28.5
Notes
In memory of Isaiah D. Stehman and Lillie V. Stehman, grandparents of the donor.
Fabric with patterns of stacked circles filled with alternating dots and flowers. Leaf chains surround circles, all in subdued tan, brown, blue and pink. Tear-drop shape. Flap with loop at tip closes with a 1-inch button. Brown spiral design stitches along all outside edges. Fine fringe of coiled metal stitches under top front edge of body of purse. Handles at top are loops of brown twisted cord, one stitched to front, one onto back. Lined in red fabric.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 2
Storage Cabinet
Unit 10
Storage Shelf
Shelf 4
Storage Container
Box 0705
Object Name
Purse
Length (cm)
22.86
Length (ft)
0.75
Length (in)
9
Width (cm)
22.86
Width (ft)
0.75
Width (in)
9
Dimension Details
Measurements do not include 1.5-inch fringe or corded handles.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2024-01-29
Condition Notes
Front closure loop is worn. Some soiling on lining. One section of metal fringe is loose.
Entirely beaded with gray, clear and aqua-colored seed beads in a zig-zag design. Bottom edge curves and is decorated with 10 larger beads (aqua covered with clear beads) hanging on loops of single strands.
Thin twisted aqua cord is threaded through 6 metal loops on top edge to pull closed.
Purse is lined--top 4 inches aqua; bottom in see-through fabric.
Fabric drawstring purse. Bottom insert is cardboard circle. 3-inch bottom edge embroidered with flowers & borders around painted leaves: 3 pairs of flower clusters linked by open 'lace' on aqua background. French knots along edges anchor 'lace.' Upper 4.5 inches of aqua-colored cotton with channel for drawstrings/ribbons. Construction: machine stitching and hand embroidery.
On green tag, written in cursive: "Mrs. Catharine/ Sachs/ given by Misses/ Kathryn and Caroline/ Miller/ 22420 James St."
Fully-lined (ecru cotton) beaded purse with 1-inch wide folded navy blue silk stitched to beaded body at top for drawstrings of .25-inch wide gold-colored ribbon.
Black beads with green leaves at base (2.5 inches wide). Central band (1 inch wide) of red flowers & leaves. 3 sprigs of blue flowers above. Both sides are alike but for pink beading "Whiteside 1837" on one side. "Jane" is beaded in pink on the opposite side near top.
Tapestry purse with hinged metal top with holes around the base for stitches to attach the fabric. "Silver-plated" is stamped inside the metal piece. The outside is painted a rose color
The fabric body depicts a man on his knees looking up at a young woman. On the other side, a minstrel serenades two seated women. A 17-inch link chain is attached to the sides at the top. Loops of metallic seed beads decorate the bottom edge. Interior is lined with pink fabric. 3 x 3-inch pocked inside.
Beaded purse. Lower 1.5 inches: green leaves on rust-colored border. Remaining beaded 5.5 inches is a light colored background with 3 bands of flowers, graduated in size from blue near bottom; 3 yellow flowers in middle; and a band of 5 yellow flowers near the top on the back. The front of the purse shows a large pink rose in a bouquet (4 inches long). 1.5-inch loops of blue beads hung from the lower edge (4 remaining)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 2
Storage Cabinet
Unit 10
Storage Shelf
Shelf 4
Storage Container
Box 0705
Object Name
Purse
Length (cm)
17.78
Length (ft)
0.5833333333
Length (in)
7
Width (cm)
16.51
Width (ft)
0.5416666667
Width (in)
6.5
Condition
Poor
Condition Date
2024-01-29
Condition Notes
Beads missing on body, some falling off, and on lower fringe. Lining stained and top edge fabric in tatters.
Beaded purse with metal top decorated with flowers. Clear beads attached to black crocheted fabric. Bead design tapers from single to increased lengths that gently cascade to the lower edge, decorated with 1.5-inch loops. Fabric lining is missing, but top edge of ribbon rosebuds remains. 14-inch chair of links, one end attached to front, one to back of metal top that snaps closed.
Cream-colored square crocheted bag with a flap. Twisted cord strap (doubled and long enough to hang from shoulder) is anchored by loops at both top sides of the bag. Matching baubles hang: four from the bottom and four along lower edge of flap to hold it down.
