A deeply personal piece of West Midlands industrial history. This Victorian lady’s work bag was presented to Mrs. Lawson on July 13th, 1885, by the mothers of a sewing meeting in Langley and Oldbury.
 
Most notably, the plaque identifies the meeting as being under the patronage of Mrs. A. M. Chance. The Chance family were the titan industrialists behind the world-famous Chance Brothers Glassworks. This bag represents the Victorian tradition of "Philanthropic Sewing Circles," where the wives of wealthy industrialists supported the local community.
 
The bag remains a "time capsule," containing antique spectacles in a beautiful papier-mâché case and her hallmarked silver-handled button hook. To hold this bag is to touch the social fabric of the Black Country at the height of the Industrial Revolution.
 
Provenance Details:
Inscription: "Presented to Mrs. Lawson by the mothers of Mrs. A. M. Chance's sewing meeting, Langley and Oldbury, July 13th, 1885."
 
Location: Oldbury/Langley, West Midlands, UK.
 
Contents: Original Victorian spectacles, Papier-mâché case, Sterling Silver handled hallmarked button hook, assorted buttons, marcasite brooch and a pencil.
 
Condition: Very nice original condition, the sliding lock works, the case expands, no cracks or tears externally or internally.
 
The measurements are 17cm x 14cm x 5.5cm (6.7" x 5.5" x 2.17").