Bag, embroidered linen, 1675-1700; British, coloured silks, strawberry in lozenge. By the end of the 17th century, fashionable bags were round in shape. The simplified pattern of strawberries and lozenges on this example is characteristic of the period. A series of holes at the mouth of the bag indicates that it once had a drawstring. The lack of a more secure fastening than a drawstring suggests that this purse was intended to hold a keepsake or to wrap a gift of money, rather than everyday monetary use. A flat pear-shaped bag of linen embroidered in a stylized pattern of strawberries in lozenges with green, yellow, red and pink silk. The edge is bound with green silk grosgrain ribbon and the bag is lined with pale blue silk. The holes at the upper edge indicate there was once a drawstring.