Pair of pockets (reverse)
Britain
1700-25
Museum no. T.281A-1910

Physical Appearance
Shape:  lobe
Construction: two pieces of fabric, hand-sewn together and bound around the outside edge, opening and opening.  The front is lined
Opening placement: vertical from the top edge on the front
Interior compartment: none
Tie: yes, in three pieces, attached at either side of pocket
Alterations: inside lining has been patched  
Condition:  Wear on white silk ribbon at top edge and binding of opening

Materials
Front: bleached linen
Back: bleached linen
Lining: bleached linen
Binding: green silk taffeta ribbon, top edge has been bound with white silk ribbon over the green
Ties: plain weave linen tape
Sewing thread: linen, patching of lining appears to have been done in silk thread

Decoration
Technique: embroidery in backstitch and chain stitch.
Materials: silk thread
Design: a lattice of interlocking circle in backstitch in beige silk follows the shape of the pocket.  Outside it is a stem in chain stitch in yellow and two shades of green, bearing flowers in chain stitch in white and two shade of pink.  The same design edges the opening.
Location: the embroidery is on the front of the pocket

Provenance 
Purchased from Talbot Hughes in 1910.  Talbot Hughes was a history and genre painter, who amassed a very large collection of 18th and 19th century dress and accessories as studio props.  The bulk of his collection was bought in 1913 by the department store Harrods and given to the V&A.

Dimensions
Length of tie between pockets: 21.5 cm
Length of tie:  118 cm
Width of tie: 2.4 cm

Dimensions of T.281-1910
Overall length: 36.0 cm
Width at widest: 24.5 cm
Width at top: 13.8 cm
Length/Width of opening: 18.3 cm

Dimensions of T.281:A-1910
Overall length: 36.0 cm
Width at widest: 24.8 cm
Width at top: 11.5 cm
Length/Width of opening: 18.0 cm