Cecilia purse (Dropship item)

A stunning purse by Voglio Bene, featuring richly detailed imagery printed on polyester fabric. The front and back display different prints, and the piece is finished with a zip closure and lined interior.

• Voglio Bene, made in France
• Size: 9.5 × 14 cm
• Weight: 30 g

About the Artwork

The design is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Lady with an Ermine (Dama con l’ermellino), painted in oil on a wooden panel around 1489–1490. Measuring 54 x 39 cm, the original belongs to the Czartoryski Museum collection in Kraków, Poland.

The sitter is believed to be Cecilia Gallerani, the young mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. At the time of the painting, Cecilia was about sixteen or seventeen years old. She was known in her era as a noblewoman of intellect, education, and poetic talent. In May 1491, she gave birth to Ludovico’s son. Ludovico Sforza was also one of Leonardo’s key patrons, which explains the artist’s connection to Gallerani and the origin of this portrait.

Symbolism

The white animal in Cecilia’s arms has traditionally been identified as an ermine (Mustela erminea), corresponding with the painting’s title. Some scholars, however, suggest it might in fact be a ferret, a popular pet in Renaissance Italy. The creature carries several layers of symbolic meaning:

• A play on names: In Greek, “galé” means ermine, possibly referencing Cecilia’s surname, Gallerani.
• A heraldic emblem: The ermine was Ludovico Sforza’s personal symbol; he was a member of the Order of the Ermine.
• A symbol of purity: According to legend, the ermine would rather die than soil its white fur, representing chastity and moral virtue.
• A sign of fertility: In Renaissance symbolism, the ermine was sometimes associated with pregnancy and creative energy — a fitting reference to Cecilia’s life at the time.

The Symbolism in the Purse Design

The imagery of this pouch carries a strong symbolic message. The young woman embodies intelligence, sensitivity, and cultural refinement. Her calm gaze and gentle hold on the animal convey inner strength and a protective nature. The ermine — or ferret — acts as a multifaceted symbol of name, power, feminine purity, and fertility.

The blooming flowers, deep night sky, and shining stars together create a visual composition where timelessness, mystique, and quiet strength intertwine. The imagery resonates on a deeper level: it reminds us of the layered nature of womanhood, the enduring significance of tradition, and the inner light that persists in a changing world.

Symbolism is by nature multilayered, unfolding in a range of interpretations that each person may approach from their own perspective, thus deepening the understanding of the symbol’s many dimensions.