{"title":"Bags \u0026 Purses","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"buttermarket-purse-6th-century","title":"Buttermarket Purse (6th century)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMy latest interpretation of a 6th Century purse, based on the copper-alloy fittings found at Buttermarket, held at Ipswich Museums, with a few additions!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plates, D section bars, and buckle are all finds from the same assemblage, the length of rivet shanks suggesting that the purse had a wood cored lid, which I have reproduced here in ash. To me this also suggested a box like construction, with side gusset, for the body, rather than a flat bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've made the piece from traditionally tanned calf skin, from Barrhead Leather, all hand sewn with linen thread, then waxed with animal fat, oil and beeswax mix. This Leather doesn't tool as easily as mass produced veg tan, so, instead I opted for cast Raptors, based on examples of 'shield mounts' held in the British Museum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey, and the buckle, are hand cast by me, in a tin bronze with additional zinc in small quantities, giving a much more golden hue to the final cast. Areas have then been tinned, in order to create a more affordable version of the gold and silver gilt that we see on the originals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the calf skin is around 2mm thick, it is also quite stretchy, which I've accounted for by sewing saddle stitched linen lines to the suspension loops and the straps for the buckle and strap end. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strap end differs from the Buttermarket find, opting instead for a design found on various pieces, including bronze scrapers from Buckland. It is constructed of two thin sheets of copper-alloy, brazed together, as we see on many originals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the motivation for these deviations is that, while exact reproductions of singular finds are valid, having 20 purses all the same is an inaccuracy in its own right. I have therefore tried to bring in some limited element of creativity, based on original artifacts, to create an interpretation that fits within the style and culture of the Early Anglo-Saxon period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat means this is a one of a kind piece, and is unlikely to be reproduced exactly ever again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt loops take a 22mm wide strap, which is coincidently the size strap on the belt I have in stock, which is available for £230, should you want.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53632711065932,"sku":null,"price":375.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/FB_IMG_1760733304147.jpg?v=1760733791"},{"product_id":"sutton-hoo-bag-3","title":"Sutton Hoo Bag #3","description":"\u003cp\u003eHere we have my latest interpretation of Sutton Hoo Bag #3!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's made from traditionally tanned calf skin, by Barrhead Leather, fully hand sewn, oiled and waxed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe structure I've used on the body means it's completely secure, when fastened by the buckle, and its large enough to my over sized mobile phone, with room to spare! It actually follows the measurements of the original down to the millimeter, 120×200mm for the 'bag'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe, hand sewn, folded strap is made from the same leather, with a flat, whipped stitch back seam and a saddle stitch running the full length of each fold. It is made from three strips, attached via a grain\/edge butt stitch, internally reenforced. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strap is 180cm long, and when work sits perfectly under my hand (I'm 175cm, 5ft 8), with my arms by my side, so might suit someone taller!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buckles are individually cast by me, from a low zinc bronze; though each casting has varying percentages of copper, tin, and bronze. The buckle plates are made from phosphor bronze, centre, and gilding metal for the top two; all held in place with hand made 'rivets'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53632890601804,"sku":null,"price":190.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/FB_IMG_1760734919283.jpg?v=1760737290"},{"product_id":"ipswich-box-purse","title":"Ipswich Box Purse","description":"\u003cp\u003eI went with the historical fittings, based off the purse fittings held at Ipswich Museums. There are a couple of differences; there's some ring and dot decoration that isn't on the original; and the strap end is different. The original is possibly a zoomorphic figure of a serpents head, but here I've gone with something simpler. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe know there was ring and dot decoration used in period, but it is speculative used in this context. However, I've used two pieces of sheet bronze, that I've brazed together, which seems to be the primary method of making these (certainly in later periods).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI felt it was appropriate considering the \"Pictish\" spirals, as the wonkiness of my stamping means one or two of them do look a bit spiral like ! ;) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main 3 interacting spirals are taken from George Bain's book, and are based on designs found in the Book of Kells. It's freely available as a pdf download and is well worth having if your interested in knotwork of the Emerald Isles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's obviously a bit later than the Ipswich finds, but sources are sparse and creating original pieces is extremely hard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration across the top of the box purse is however, period; though not exactly geographically local. It's actually taken from one of the Valsgarde seax scabbards, but apparently there may be a connection between Vendel and East Anglia!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 'lid' is formed around an wooden, Ash, base, with the leather sewn around it and hide glued in place. It's then tooled and decorated, before finally having the fittings added.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fittings are, in part, what holds the whole thing together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe centre shield holds the strap that goes through the buckle; the shields either side are riveted through the lid, but also through the tongues from the straps that form the belt loops. Giving a mechanical attachment point between lid and body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe long thin bar across the top also does this, and is there to add support to the leather as it hinges open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hinge points are the two rectangular plates on the belt loops, with the loops being secured by the same rectangular plates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are no surviving, leather originals, so, that is all speculative, but I doubt I would have come up with it without the Ipswich fittings to guide me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53652460142924,"sku":null,"price":375.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_4983f67b-1ae0-4e56-a68e-668920b7f1a4.jpg?v=1760996302"},{"product_id":"6-7th-century-box-purse","title":"6\/7th Century Box Purse","description":"\u003cp\u003eA speculative 6\/7th century style box purse!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've used the Sutton Hoo and Ipswich purse fittings for the inspiration for the shape, with an Ash wood lined lid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cord work around the edge is made over twisted animal gutt, and I've used the peltoid, hippocrampi from one the Nydam sword scabbards for the basis of the foundation mouldings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's made from a variety of thicknesses of cow and goat hide, veg tan leather, depending on what properties needed for the pattern piece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57251643294028,"sku":null,"price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_98d06b19-c4f6-4f42-985f-42dc3db17106.jpg?v=1776001874"},{"product_id":"7th-century-box-purse","title":"7th Century Box Purse","description":"\u003cp\u003eA hand sewn, foundation moulded Box Purse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle leatherwork survives from the 7th century, so, we must look to metal fittings to help guide the shape and form. The overall shape of this piece is inspired by the Sutton Hoo purse lid and copper-alloy pieces found in near by Ipswich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rivets from the Ipswich fittings are of a length that suggests that the were attached to a wooden lid. This purse therefore has a wooden core to the lid, with leather sewn around it, and over leather foundations which allow for the raised sections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe raised, shield shaped, sections are then hand tooled with decoration taken from a brooch found at Gotland, Sweden, depicting stylised serpents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bag itself is hand sewn, using various thicknesses of leather, skived along the seams, and with a split thong stitch to secure the lid to the main bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's then hand dyed to match colours seen in traditional bark tanned leather, and finished with my own blend of beeswax, goose tallow and Neatsfoot oil, giving an authentic waterproof finish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57392772022604,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_1e78a4bf-535b-4620-8bc5-51d1137f2c0c.jpg?v=1777284920"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/collections\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_350dbec6-4066-4912-bb34-6d411e9fade8.jpg?v=1763757075","url":"https:\/\/krokathurston.myshopify.com\/collections\/bags-purses.oembed","provider":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}