This fire bag of homespun fabric measures 18 1/2" by 80".
This is a stout linen with an embroidered monogram. These fire bags were commonly hung on the back of bedroom doors. In the event of fire one would stuff them full of clothes and toss them out the window. In the Period, clothes were very expensive, perhaps the most valuable things you owned. I've read several inventories of very wealthy 18th c. noteables and 5 shirts to thier name was considered a large wardrobe. The bags monogram was how you identified your bag from your neighbors after an urban neighborhood fire...sometimes we find these bags numbered as well.great repairs
The tie appears to be twisted string that has broken with use.
This item is for sale on the Contemporary Longrifle Association site under
antiques.
Copy on Fire Bags by Steven Lalioff. Photographed by Jan Riser.
That's not a grain bag, that's a fire bag. Grain bags were made of coarse, cheap cloth...this is a stout linen with an embroidered monogram. These fire bags were commonly hung on the back of bedroom doors. In the event of fire one would stuff them full of clothes and toss them out the window. In the Period, clothes were very expensive, perhaps the most valuable things you owned. I've read several inventories of very wealthy 18th c. noteables and 5 shirts to thier name was considered a large wardrobe. The bags monogram was how you identified your bag from your neighbors after an urban neighborhood fire...sometimes we find these bags numbered as well.
ReplyDelete(FYI: the average American today owns approx. 5x the apparel as we did in 1970.) SML