‘Culpeper bags’ | VIPER’S BUGLOSS * SUN | Bag IV of VII

This bag is constructed from robust antique linen, woven by C19th French artisans. Immersed in indigo and weld by a C21st natural dyer, its colour is now a deep, saturated green, recalling the hedgerows 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, provides a vivid contrast to the dark tones of the bag. Appropriately, it almost blazes.

The flap image is rooted in astrological herbalism, magically melding plant with star; the former being the beautifully named Viper’s Bugloss. It is contained within the outlined orb of the sun, its ruling celestial body, and is described by Culpeper as having seeds which appear ‘blackish, cornered and pointed somewhat like the head of a viper’. The image is underscored by a block-printed ribbon carrying the name of plant and star. 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: IV 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 shoulder strap is of weighty, dark brown leather - repurposed from equestrian tack - and comes with its original brass buckle; rectangular and patinaed. The strap is triple stitched (by hand) to the bag’s side panels. It is adjustable, enabling the bag to be worn on the shoulder or across the body, and has a stylish, 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 - 33cm, Length - 39cm, Depth - 5cm

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