Bag c. 19th century

This bag was crafted by an Ottoman artisan, using velvet and metal-wrapped thread. We can think of this object as an example of material culture that offers a unique window into the social and economic life of its time. Bags like these, produced in the Ottoman Empire, reflect a sophisticated textile industry where the use of rich materials and detailed embroidery acted as signifiers of status and wealth. The Ottoman Empire, with its vast trade networks, had access to a variety of luxury materials. The bag, therefore, is not merely a functional item, but also a statement of cultural identity. Historians look into guild records, trade documents, and sumptuary laws to better understand the value of this object. By contextualizing the art within its cultural and institutional framework, we can appreciate how it embodies the values and norms of its time.