THE LORD CHANCELLOR'S BOURSE (PURSE)

Ca. 1800

Embroidered in scarlet red, rose and blue silks with gold bullion threads and embellished with seed pearls. The center strump work of the royal coat-of-arms of George III surrounded by the royal arms of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland surmounted with a crown with two standing lions beside bearing the motto "honi soit qui mal y pense" (shamed be he who thinks evil of it), with cupid and putti heads about the border, including cords and tassels, fitted in a carved oak case, the lid which is incise-carved with a maiden with an eagle above and griffins at the sides. Size overall: 21-1/2 x 23 in.