Purse, Pincase and Knives

Thy purse and eke thy gay guilt kniues,
thy pincase gallant to the eie:
No better wore the Burgesse wiues,
And yet thou wouldst not loue me.

The Purse made by Sarah Thursfield

Purse made by Sarah Thursfield

Sarah Thursfield has made this reproduction of a typical late-Elizabethan sweet bag.

Fabric: mid-20th century linen, purchased from the late Joan Lander's workroom clearance; worked in Madeira silk thread (single strand). The spangles come from a scrap of antique beaded net found in a school costume wardrobe in 1968.

Design: based on surviving examples in various collections.

Worked by Sarah Thursfield, mainly while impersonating a Tudor gentlewoman at Kentwell Hall in the years 1578 and 1584.

Braids were made by Ruth Gilbert using De Vere Silks.

Nota Bene: the small silver knots were by far the most challenging part of the work.