Bag c. 19th century

Here we have a knitted or crocheted bag of unknown date made by an anonymous artist. Though small, this bag is rich with possible meaning. Consider the act of creation. Textiles are historically associated with domesticity and the feminine sphere. A bag like this would have been carried and used, holding everyday items. The creator may have intentionally used a traditional craft to create this piece, or perhaps they didn't have access to other materials. The patterns woven into the bag could symbolize various social or cultural affiliations. We can see a kind of negotiation happening in the bag: the bright yellow color exudes confidence and attracts attention, while the bag remains unbranded and without clear association. The bag invites us to meditate on how everyday objects can contain layers of identity and history.