woman's handbag of dyed and knotted sail twine

knotwork handbag

KNOTWORK - MACRAME
Avellette, Joseph
Circa 1910
textile; plastic
Overall: 11 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 1 in.

Knotwork handbag, 2 tortoise shell rings for handles; sail twine dyed blue; knotted initials "L.D." on one side, valentine on other; made by Joseph Avellette, c. 1910; he was chief in Navy and was aboard PRESIDENT LINCOLN when it was torpedoed during World War I, and spent 18 hours in the water before being rescued. Flat turks heads are also used in the piece, one on each side at the bottom. Separate tassel once attached to the bottom

PRESIDENT LINCOLN naval vessel
1971.182