‘Culpeper bags’ | PURSLANE * MOON | Bag VI of VII

This bag is constructed from antique linen, woven in C19th France. Immersed in indigo and weld by a C21st natural dyer, the textile is now an exquisite deep green, recalling the hedgerows and copses of Culpeper’s C17th Sussex.

The front flap is embellished with a block print, imagined by artist maker, Janet Tristram. The print, in linseed-based Old gold, has an apt luminosity; a beautiful contrast to the dark tones of the bag.

The image, rooted in astrological herbalism, seamlessly melds Purslane with its ruling celestial body. So, ‘cooling’ Purslane, as Culpeper describes it, is contained within the outlined orb of the moon. Underscoring this is a block-printed ribbon carrying the name of both plant and celestial body. 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: VI of VII.

The interior has 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 bag has a sturdy, dark brown leather strap - repurposed from equestrian tack. It is triple-stitched to the bag’s side panels, and comes with its original, substantial brass buckle; nicely patinaed. The strap, with a stylish, holed, trailing surplus, is adjustable - enabling the bag to be worn on the shoulder or across the body. All leatherwork was sourced, restored 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 - 39cm, Length - 39cm, Depth - 5cm

Artists - Janet Tristram & Cameron Short in collaboration with Caroline Strecker.