NYPON yellow

Pattern repeat: ca 22 x 24 cm

Pair of hanging pockets c. 1750. Chester County (Pennsylvania) Historical Society 1993.765. Printed and painted linen, brown ,blue, tan and two shades of pink on off white ground.

The elegant naturalistic vegetable pattern is typical for mid-18th century. It is probably of European (French?) origin and imported to colonial America. The hanging pockets are said to in made by a certain Susanna Hunts in 1749.

Hanging pockets were worn  tied at the wais over the petticoat. They were often concealed by a dress, over-petticoat, short gown or jacket, but made accessible through pocket slits in the over garments.

Printed linen as well as cotton were used both for furnishing and clothing.

Litterture: Fitting and proper Sharon Ann Burnston 2002