A rare example of an 18th century kid leather misers purse dated 1795, printed by J Bull & Co (John Bull). Printed accessories ie shoes, purses are very rare.
The purse was probably satirising the tax scheme referenced in the Satarist James Gilray's illustration. It is unusual to have a purse dated. John Bull was the printer. The tax scheme referenced in the illustration could have taken a couple of years; therefore, the purse may have been intended to be both functional and a topic of conversation...
James Gillray (13 August 1756 – 1 June 1815) was a British caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires, mainly published between 1792 and 1810. Many of his works are held at the National Portrait Gallery and Tate Britain in London. Gillray has been called "the father of the political cartoon", with his works satirizing George III, Napoleon, prime ministers and generals. Regarded as one of the two most influential cartoonists, the other being William Hogarth, Gillray's wit and humour, knowledge of life, fertility of resource, keen sense of the ludicrous, and beauty of execution, at once gave him the first place among caricaturists.*
A very long soft kid misers purse printed by J Bull & Co, with bands of decorative triangles, leaf wreaths and trailing vines to both ends, the rounded ends with a compass and the printers name, the other side with similar compass Honi Soit Que Mal Y Pense.(Shamed by whoever thinks bad of it), a red and eau de nil silk tassel to each end.
19 x 2 3/4 in; 48 x 7 cm
As you will probably see it is quite grubby/marked and was obviously well used.
*Wikipedia.
Price: £425 | $530 | €510
Ref N°: 8885
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