Though so small, this little purse is tastefully and richly wrought, and has nicely worked double strings, with gold-covered knobs at their ends for drawing its mouth close, and two other like knobs for opening it. At bottom it is very richly ornamented with a golden mantle, upon which are two shields, the one on the man's side is azure two lions passant gardant, royally crowned or; that on the woman's side, azure a chevron or, between two four-petaled and barbed flowers, in chief, and a double transomed cross in base argent; over both shields is a ducal coronet. No doubt this purse, which is lined with white kid-leather, was one of those still used by ladies in France, and held in their hands as they stand at the doors or go about the church at service-time to collect the alms of the congregation, for the poor or other pious purposes; this one may have belonged to an heiress married to a duke.
4068.
Strip of Raised Velvet; ground, silver and white silk; pattern, a large crimson and green flower seeded gold, alternating with a floriation having flowers of crimson, tawny, and purple on green stems. North Italy, 16th century.
This fine specimen of raised velvet is of a deep pile and rich mellow
colouring. The silver threads of the ground have become quite
dimmed, while the gold in the flower is fresh and glowing. Seemingly,
this piece last served as the hanging of a bed.
4069.
Piece of Raised Velvet on a gold ground; pattern, large conventional flowers and ears of corn issuing out of a ducal coronet. Genoese, early 17th century. 8 feet by 4 feet.
The gold of the ground is now so tarnished, and was, at first, so
sparingly used that now it is almost invisible; but the pile of the velvet
is deep and the pattern bold. Doubtless this stuff was for household
decoration.
