Lord Chancellor's Burse (Purse) with Royal Cypher and Coat of Arms of George III
Unknown Artist
1700s
Medium
red silk velvet, silk embroidery, goldwork, pearls, black beads, sequins, pendant tassels
Dimensions
78 × 50 × 5 cm
Classification
Velvet
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1916.1366.a
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
A richly decorated burse (purse) to hold the monarch's Great Seal of the Realm has a traditional role in the opening of parliament. The safekeeping of the seal was the responsibility of the Keeper of the Great Seal, an office later incorporated into the role of Lord Chancellor. Because the Great Seal was attached to all major documents of state, it was the ultimate symbol of royal authority. The use of a special burse to hold the seal can be traced back to the end of the 13th century. By the end...