Images(2)

Reticule

Date1824-1830

MediumHand-stitched silk and cotton, with wool, cotton velveteen, emery, and silk

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of bag, excluding bows): 6 3/4 x 5in. (17.1 x 12.7cm)
Other (height including bows): 7in. (17.8cm)
Other (width including bows): 5 5/8in. (14.3cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection

DescriptionDrawstring bag constructed of printed silk ribbons; the front-central ecru satin ribbon is printed with a portrait of George Washington within an oval. Above his portrait is printed, "PROPATRIA" and below is, "WASHINGTON / BENEVOLENT / SOCIETY." Flanking this ribbon are two identical pale aqua ribbons with picot edges, printed with a scene of agricultural implements (bee skep, scythe, rake, etc...) in a landscape with a man plowing. This scene is set within an oval medallion. At the top are ribbons printed with "HARTFORD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY." Below is a garland with an olive branch and an oak branch with acorns, tied together with a bow. On the reverse, an ecru silk ribbon is printed with a decorative oval surrounding "Nous / vous aimons / LA FAYETTE" ["We love you La Fayette"] (Revolutionary War hero General Lafayette made a return visit to America in 1824, and many such commemorative items were created to celebrate his tour). Flanking this ribbon are two identical pale aqua ribbons with picot edges, printed with a circular medallion of a plow in a landscape with a rising sun. At the top is printed "HART. CONN. AGRIC. SOC." Below is "1817." The bag is decorated with silk bows in a matching color at each bottom corner. The bag is lined with lightweight white cotton with a small woven pink grid. Mounted on a fine cotton cord is a red wool strawberry emery with yellow "seeds" made with stitches of silk, and a green velveteen leafy top. The bag closes with a black cord drawstring.

Object number1950.89.0

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