Description
PETER KING’S LORD CHANCELLOR’S PURSE: A METAL THREAD EMBROIDERED STUMPWORK PANEL
EARLY 18TH CENTURY
depicting the Royal coat of arms surrounded by angel heads, later framed and glazed
Approximately 40cm x 40cm
Footnote
Note: The Lord Chancellor's purse (or 'burse') was used to carry the Great Seal of the Realm. The Great Seal was a silver seal impressed with the Royal coat of arms which was impressed into wax on documents which had the Royal assent. The use of the purse can be traced as far back as the end of the 13th Century. It was solemnly carried before the Lord Chancellor in procession on State occasions. The purse was replaced each year and finely made. The previous year's purse was always given to the Chancellor's wife.
Provenance: Torridon House, Home of The Earls of Lovelace. Click here for further information: http://bit.ly/1MmigxQ