Visible Pockets in 18th Century Illustrations

Last updated: Feb 4, 2024

Pockets are usually concealed under the gown and petticoats worn by an 18th century woman, but in some artwork of the time, the pocket is visible. In some cases, it’s because she’s not quite fully dressed; in others (especially in caricatures), it seems to underscore that particular woman’s money-grubbing nature.

It’s not always one or the other, though; sometimes, a pocket is just a pocket.

• Grenadiers, 31st, 32nd and 33rd Regimants of Foot, 1751 by David Morier, c. 1751-1760
• London Cries: Black Heart Cherries by Paul Sandby, c. 1759
• Rare Mackarel Three a Groat Or Four for Sixpence by Paul Sandby, 1760
• Children playing with a ball by Paul Sandby
• The Recruiting Sargeant by John Collet, 1767
• La Belle fileuse by Johann Jakob Haid, c. 1770s
• The Shower, 1772
• The lovely Sacarissa dressing for the Pantheon, 1772
• Cobler’s Hall, 1775
• Tight Lacing, or Fashion before Ease, 1777
• Spring, 1779
• The Asylum for the Deaf, late 18th century
• Melpomene, 1784
• An angel, gliding on a sun-beam into paradice, 1791
• Frying Sprats, Vide. Royal Supper, 1791
• Cobler’s Hall (H/T Rowenna Miller Hamper)
• Tricoteuse 1793 by Camus (19th century)
• The Cries of London: Fresh Gathered Peas, Young Hastings, 1795
• Young woman buying a love song by Pehr Hilleström, c. 1796
• The Absent Father or the Sorrows of War, 1797
• The Grandfather, 1811
• Haymakers at dinner by Thomas Uwins, c. 1812
• The Refusal by Sir David Wilkie, 1814
• The Hop Garland by William Frederick Witherington, 1834
• The drover’s departure: A scene in the Grampians by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, 1835