Cecilia velvet pouch

Voglio Bene's gorgeous, high-quality velvet pouch with the Cecilia print. Different prints on the front and back. Finished with a zipper and inner lining.

• Voglio Bene, Made in France
• Size: 17*23cm
  
• Weight: 70g
• Note: shoulder strap not included

This art-illustrated pouch is both eye-catching and practical. It’s perfect for use as a makeup bag, for storing pens and brushes, or as an accessory pouch inside a larger handbag. Thanks to its compact size and zip closure, it conveniently carries items like headphones, chargers, toiletries, or travel documents.

The pouch can also be used as a lightweight clutch – ideal for evenings out or summer days when you only need the essentials. Its refined finish and artistic design make it a unique and stylish accessory.

Background on the art

The illustration on this pouch is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Lady with an Ermine (Dama con l’ermellino), painted in oil on wood between 1489 and 1490. The painting measures 54 x 39 cm and is now part of the Czartoryski Museum collection in Kraków, Poland.

The portrait’s subject is believed to be Cecilia Gallerani, the young mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. At the time of the painting, Cecilia was around 16–17 years old. She was known as an upper-class woman of her time—intelligent, educated, and a gifted poet. In May 1491, she gave birth to Ludovico’s son. Ludovico Sforza was also a major patron of Leonardo da Vinci, which explains the connection between the artist, Gallerani, and the creation of this work.

 Symbolism

The white mustelid in Cecilia’s arms has traditionally been identified as an ermine (Mustela erminea), which corresponds with the painting’s title. However, some scholars suggest it might actually be a ferret, a popular pet in Renaissance Italy. The animal in the painting carries several layers of symbolic meaning:

• A play on names: The Greek word for ermine is galé, which can be seen as a reference to Cecilia’s surname, Gallerani.
• Heraldic reference: The ermine was a personal emblem of Ludovico Sforza and a symbol of his membership in the Order of the Ermine.
• Symbol of purity: According to folklore, the ermine would rather die than soil its white coat—a metaphor for chastity and moral integrity.
• Fertility symbol: In Renaissance symbolism, the ermine was at times also associated with pregnancy and creative power, possibly reflecting Cecilia’s situation at the time.

What does the picture of the bag symbolize?

The illustration of the pouch carries a strong symbolic message. The young woman in the picture represents intelligence, sensitivity and cultural sophistication. Her calm gaze and gentle grip on the animal express inner strength and a desire to protect. The ferret or ferret acts as an ambiguous figure in the picture: it is a symbol of name, power, and feminine purity and fertility.

Together, blooming nature, a deep night background, and shining stars create a visual whole where timelessness, mysticism, and quiet power intertwine. This imagery speaks to us on a deep level: it reminds us of the multi-layered nature of femininity, the importance of tradition, and the inner light that endures in a changing world.

Symbolism is always multi-layered in nature and opens up in multiple interpretations, which everyone can approach from their own starting points, thus enriching the understanding of the different dimensions of the symbol.