This bag is constructed from linen woven in C19th France. Plant-dyed in C21st England, the textile has been immersed in indigo and weld. The colour - a lovely, deep, saturated green - echoes the fecund hedgerows of the old world.
The bag’s front flap is emblazoned with a block print, imagined by artist maker, Janet Tristram. The print, in linseed-based Old gold, contrasts beautifully with the bag’s rich, dark tones. It almost glows, in fact.
In the spirit of astrological herbalism, the image melds flora with the firmament. It depicts Mustard within the solid orb of Mars, its ruling planet. Culpeper describes the plant thus: ‘our common mustard hath large and broad rough leaves, very much jagged with uneven and unorderly gashes, somewhat like turnip leaves, but less and rougher’. The image is underscored by a block-printed ribbon containing the name of both plant and planet. A pair of antique leather straps (originally girth straps from a saddle) in dark brown are hand-stitched to the flap, creating weight, balance and beauty. Their witchy, tapered ends mirror those of the block-printed ribbon.
The bag’s front panel, rear panel, side panels and bottom panel are unprinted. All edges are faced with a rolled, hand-stitched hem. Open the flap, and a block-printed, hand-sewn editioning patch reveals itself, with numerals in Old gold. It reads: II of VII.
Internally, there is a useful pocket, and the bag is lined in striped linen - woven for us in Wexford, Ireland. Contrasting berry-toned stripes complement the bag’s colour.
The shoulder strap is beautifully worn, and of weighty dark brown leather - repurposed from equestrian tack. It is triple stitched (by hand) to the bag’s side panels, and comes with its original brass buckle. The buckle’s authentic, distressed finish chimes perfectly with the block print on the flap. The strap is adjustable, enabling the bag to be worn on the shoulder or across the body. It has a lovely, holed, trailing surplus with a tapered end. All leatherwork was sourced, revived and expertly hand-stitched using waxed linen thread by Caroline Strecker of Rag of Colts.
Finally, for protection and to give the desired sculptural feel, the bag was gently brushed with a traditional, natural sizing.
Dimensions: Height - 34cm, Length - 35cm, Depth - 5cm
Artists - Janet Tristram & Cameron Short in collaboration with Caroline Strecker.
