Reticule
Unknown Artist
late 18th century
Medium
Satin
Dimensions
H. 8 x W. 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture
British
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. F. D. Millet, 1913
Accession Number
13.49.5
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of late 18-century British fashion with this charming *Reticule*, a small drawstring handbag crafted from luxurious satin. Measuring just 8 by 10 inches, this embroidered textile accessory was an essential carryall for women, replacing deep pockets in the slender neoclassical gowns of the. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1913 by Mrs. F. D. Millet, it exemplifies the refined decorative arts of Europe's textile tradition. Produced by an unknown artist in Britain during the late 1700s, the reticule highlights the period's shift toward lighter, Empire-style s...