PETIT POINT, BAG

A black leather spectacle case has a hand embroidered petit point panel in tent stitch, on the back and front.

The case has a gusset and a flap for closing and is lined with black cotton fabric. Bought in Op Shop in Perth in 1980s.

One of the side seams is coming away.

Hand embroidered in petit point ladies’ bags and accessories were popular in first half of 20th century.

Needlepoint tapestry is said to have originated in the 17th century, when the fashion for furniture upholstered with embroidered fabrics prompted the development of a more durable material, canvas, to serve as the foundation for the embroidery and resembling woven tapestry. As time progressed the stitches became finer, the threads thinner and the colours brighter – petit point.

In mid 20th century, needlepoint petit point, beaded or tambour embroidered bags were imported from Austria, France, Belgium and Czechoslovakia and were highly fashionable.