Geborduurde leren koffer before 1874

This Embroidered Leather Case was created by Isabel Agnes Cowper, a 19th-century British artist. During this era, artistic expression for women was often confined to domestic crafts, like embroidery. Cowper, however, elevated this medium, demonstrating skill and artistry. The case itself is a testament to the intricate labor and attention to detail characteristic of women’s handiwork during this period. Embroidery was not merely a decorative skill, it was a means of personal expression, and sometimes, economic independence for women. The designs and motifs chosen often carried personal or cultural significance, reflecting the embroiderer's identity, beliefs, and experiences. This work exists in a context where women navigated the tension between societal expectations and individual aspirations. Cowper's choice of embroidery can be seen as both an embrace of and a subtle rebellion against these constraints, transforming a traditionally "feminine" craft into a powerful mode of artistic statement. In viewing the work we witness both the intimacy and the constraints of 19th-century life.