Story: Crafts and applied arts

Depression-era embroidered bag

Depression-era embroidered bag

The 1930s depression ended the arts and crafts movement in New Zealand because there was no longer a market for relatively expensive, hand-made crafts. The thrifty, make-do-and-mend craft skills characteristic of the early settler period had endured and now came in very handy. The fabric of this embroidered silk velvet evening bag was recycled from a mantelpiece runner or pelmet – the scalloped edges of the original piece have been incorporated into the bag.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: GH017065

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Douglas Lloyd Jenkins and Lucy Hammonds, 'Crafts and applied arts - Old and new aesthetics, 1930s and 1940s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/45278/depression-era-embroidered-bag (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Douglas Lloyd Jenkins and Lucy Hammonds, published 22 Oct 2014