Bag

Art Historical Context

This exquisite mid-18th-century bag, crafted from glass and steel beads embroidered on kidskin and silk, exemplifies the opulent craftsmanship of the Rococo era. Measuring just 8½ inches long, it served as a fashionable accessory—likely a reticule for evening wear—carried by elegant ladies at Versailles or Parisian salons. The intricate beadwork, shimmering with metallic steel and translucent glass, creates a luxurious texture, highlighting the technical virtuosity of anonymous French artisans who blended textile embroidery with jewelry-like embellishment. Adorned with motifs of grapes and fl...