This bag is made from sturdy C19th French hemp or ‘chanvre’. Despite its age, the textile has retained its lovely pale, chalky appearance.
On the bag’s front, block-printed in black to great effect, is the image of drover Silas Bone’s lost clay pipe - its bowl fashioned in the shape of a man’s head, with a tendril of smoke emerging. Beneath the pipe, again block-printed in black, are the words: ‘he trod heavily thereafter’. A small, incidental tobacco-coloured patch, hand-stitched by the artist, adds texture and interest.
On the reverse of the bag, in black, is more block-printed text. Carved by the artist in the style of dissipating pipe smoke, it reads: ‘Lost by Silas Bone, drover, 1812’. Again, a tobacco-coloured patch, placed discreetly, provides an extra focal point.
The bag is lined with red and black striped Irish linen, and has one large interior pocket. The story of Silas’ lost pipe, hand-written by the artist on a piece of pale blue shot silk, is hand-sewn into the bag.
A heavy, antiqued brass zip closes the bag.
With a long, adjustable, antique leather strap - repurposed from equestrian tack - the bag can be worn on the shoulder or across the body. The strap also retains the original oval brass buckle. 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 - 31cm, Length - 44cm, Depth - 7cm
Artists - Cameron Short & Janet Tristram in collaboration with leatherworker, Caroline Strecker.
The ‘Lost Bags’ - keep your treasures safe.
EACH ‘LOST BAG’ IS UNIQUE.
