Bag
c. 1825
Knitted silk, metallic beads, and gold metal
Gift of the Marian O. Naumburg Estate
Object number2008.18.3
This style of bag became known as a “miser’s purse” due to the difficulty of accessing its contents. Coins were inserted through a slit along the center of the bag and secured by a ring. At their peak during the Victorian era, the purses were sometimes given as gifts or love tokens.
DescriptionBeaded miser's purse in red, blue, cream stripe silk knit with metallic gold detailing, embroidered with gold and silver cut steel beads, gold / brass bead tassels at each corner; squared ends; center slit opening; two brass (?) sliders at centerCollections
Exhibitions