I bought these pieces for two reasons; First, I am always searching for textiles I know nothing about, and second, one item in particular uses my beloved Georgian yellow in ribbon form! [See my Blog re Georgian yellow]
This is for a Georgian Regency era workbag reticule and matching wrist cuffs. Because the method of decoration is new to me, I am giving quite a broad timeline c1790-1830 which I feel quite confident about for a few reasons.
When I began to research them, at first I was under the impression that Theorem meant 'painting on velvet'. I have several links of images to give you below, but it was only when I found a short article by the expert Meg Andrews that I realised I was completely wrong! Meg Andrews explains Theorem work concisely and thoroughly In the following article:
https://www.meg-andrews.com/item-details/Theorem-Painting/7798
Thank you to Meg Andrews!
As you can see, the bag and cuffs are made of cream velvet, onto which this most romantic design has been painted. The Andrew's article explains that there is a floral theme and the painting would have been done with the use of stencils, after being hand drawn first.
We have deep red flower heads with buds, surrounded by vivid blue flowers and leaves.
The bag is painted to each side.
When you touch these pieces, there isn't the slightest hint of surface painting. I think this is a result of the layered paint technique. It gives the design a true depth. The velvet remains soft and supple.
Both the work bag and cuffs are then piped around the edges with very fine yellow silk.
The cuffs are lined below with cream silk, and have the large, 'flat' pale brass hooks and eyes that I have never seen on a garment later than the 1830's. They are most often found from 1810 -30's. The cuffs are complete with no damage, although please read the condition report below. They are 6.25" wide and 2" deep. I have only ever seen cuffs like this [or bracelets if you prefer] as beaded items. So these are most unusual.
The bag has not fared quite as well as the cuffs.
Although exactly as described above for the main part, the bag originally had a channel across the top for the wide ribbons to thread through to make it a drawstring. The ribbons, of the most glorious yellow colour, are in excellent condition for age. This colour is never seen after the 1830's, which again helps to date the pieces.
Sadly, the channel for the ribbon is of the same extremely fine silk as used for the piping and the lining of the bag and when it came to me, the channel was almost completely frayed away in places. So I removed it all around. I have kept the spare fine silk and will send it, just in case you want it, but parts of it are shattered.
Without the channel, I used some silk thread to attach the gorgeous ribbon loops to each side of the top corners. Only lightly attached so you can change it if you wish. I will also send some of the thread with the parcel.
This treatment to the ribbon loops is quite lovely becuase they are finished with petal shapes at each end!
Please read the condition report below for a more detailed description
The bag measures approximately 6.75" x 7" and is a perfect match for the cuffs.
References:
Meg Andrews - www.megandrews.com
Peggy McClard Antiques - Theorem Painting in America  [Gorgeous Folk Art designs]
The Gallery Sag Harbor - 'Stencils on Velvet: The Art of Theorem Painting
Sandra Strong/ Pinterest - Theorem Board.