This bag, with a front flap, is made from incredibly robust C19th French linen. The textile has been Kakishibu dyed - a traditional Japanese dyeing process using persimmon tannin - to give it a rich, brown colour.
On the front flap, block-printed in black, are the words: ‘LOST BY DIGORY ISBELL, road to St Just’.
Beneath the front flap, in black, are an image and more text. The words read: ‘1765, his eyes did wet the ground’. The image, a coin-like rebus-inspired talisman, has had its surface inscribed. We see the letter ‘F’ beside the image of an ear, then a knotted rope, then the letter ‘M’ beside the image of an eye, then a sun. Thus, it ‘reads’: FEAR NOT MY SON. The dots above the ‘i’ in ‘his’ and the ‘i’ in ‘did’ take the form of teardrops.
The rear panel is Kakishibu dyed and left unprinted. All edges are faced with a rolled, hand-stitched hem.
The bag is part lined in antique French linen, also hand-dyed using persimmon tannin. Red and black striped Irish linen provides the rest of the lining, and the bag benefits from a large internal pocket. The story of Digory’s lost talisman, hand-written by the artist on a piece of pale blue shot silk, is also hand-sewn into the bag.
The bag has a lovely, wide strap - repurposed from equestrian tack - and, due to its age, great character. It is adjustable, allowing the bag to be worn over the shoulder or across the body. The strap also boasts an old brass buckle with a verdigris patina. A pair of antique leather straps, hand-stitched to the front flap, create weight and balance. Leatherwork was sourced, restored and expertly hand-stitched using waxed linen thread by the wonderful Caroline Strecker @ragofcolts.
Finally, for protection and to give the desired sculptural feel, the bag was gently brushed with traditional rabbit skin glue.
Dimensions: Height - 38cm, Length - 45cm, Depth - 6cm
Artists - Cameron Short & Janet Tristram in collaboration with leatherworker, Caroline Strecker.
The ‘Lost Bags’ - keep your treasures safe.
EACH ‘LOST BAG’ IS UNIQUE.
