This bag, with a front flap, is constructed from antique French hemp - it’s robust. The textile, woven in the C19th, is a sober mauve grey. Such a colour was often worn to signify the latter stages of a period of mourning. To achieve it, the hemp was naturally dyed using the alchemic qualities of lac and walnut; thus creating the perfect canvas for a tale of loss and lamentation.
On the front flap, in black, is a block-printed image and text. The image, neatly and pleasingly recessed, shows Beulah Dye’s lost thimble. Naive baste stitching in grey-coloured thread frames it. Above, in a spidery hand, the text reads: ‘Lost By Beulah Dye’. Below is the word: ‘Romney’ - again block-printed, and the ‘y’ has a lovely fern-like flourish. A pair of antique leather straps, hand-stitched to the flap, create weight, beauty and balance.
On the bag’s front, beneath the flap, is more text and a decorative motif - both block-printed in black linseed ink. The words read: ‘Marsh, 1880, She Did Rue it’. ‘She Did’ and ‘Rue it’ sit on two separate recessed hemp patches. Again, playful baste stitching - typically peasant - is used here. Its rusticity contrasts beautifully with the elegance of the text and motif; the latter underscoring the date.
The reverse and side panels are of the same lac and walnut dyed antique hemp; all are left unprinted. All edges are hand-rolled and hand-stitched.
The bag is lined in striped linen, specially commissioned for this project and woven in Wexford, Ireland. Contrasting berry-toned stripes, chosen by us, complement the bag’s mauve grey hue perfectly. The bag features an internal patch pocket for any small, treasured items. The story of Beulah’s lost thimble, concocted by Cameron and tapped out on a typewriter, is pinned to the inside of the bag.
The bag features an adjustable, antique leather shoulder strap - repurposed from equestrian tack - with its original, swage brass buckle. Leatherwork was sourced, restored and expertly hand-stitched using waxed linen thread by the wonderful @ragofcolts.
Finally, for protection and to give the desired sculptural feel, the bag was gently brushed with traditional rabbit skin glue.
Each ‘Lost Bag’ is unique.
Dimensions - Height: 38cm Length: 54cm Depth: 6cm
Artists - Cameron Short & Janet Tristram in collaboration with Rag of Colts.
The ‘Lost Bags’ - keep your treasures safe.
