A Chinese reticule, drawstring bag.
The bag is embroidered on the front and back faces front and back faces show dancing cranes amid clouds. The bag is embroidered with gilt and coloured silk thread, each with surrounding border of floral braid. The cuff around the top is tan velvet with a plain cotton cord single handle lined with cherry coloured silk. The lower edge of the bag is trimmed with three gilt tassels. The bag was possibly made between 1890-1920.
The 19th century British-Chinese Opium wars perhaps renewed British interest in Chinese embroidery, and other such household items, bringing an influx of Chinese items into Britain through trade. This fascination persisted, at least, until the reign of King George V and Mary of Teck, who utilised Chinese imagery and symbolism in her decoration of rooms in Buckingham Palace. The most popular imagery included birds, flowers, trees and natural scenes, as well as the high status dragon imagery that Mary of Teck used in Buckingham Palace. The imagery found on this bag of the cranes was likely intended to symbolise good fortune and longevity to the user.
