Fashion Accessories
Jewelry
Lover’s Eye Brooches
Portrait miniatures mounted as brooches, pendants, or lockets were very popular items of jewelry during the 18th century. Toward the end of the century, an unusual variation became fashionable: the eye brooch, or lover's... Read More →
Georgian Mourning Brooches
Morbid symbols of death, such as skeletons, skulls, and coffins continued to be used in English mourning jewelry well into the 18th century, but by the second half of the century had become less common and were replaced by images of sorrow.... Read More →
Fans
Brisé Fans, Overview
Brisé fans have no leaf, instead consisting only of decorative sticks carved or pierced or painted... Read More →
Mother-of-Pearl Brisé Fan
Elegantly pierced mother-of-pearl sticks with guards of cut steel, faceted and polished to resemble diamonds... Read More →
Purses & Reticules
Miser Purses
Miser purses — also called long purses, stocking purses, or ring purses — were popular in England and France from the mid-18th century through the early 20th century. Their fast and easy construction meant that they were made in the thousands, and are therefore easily available to collectors.... Read More →
Knitted and Netted Purses
Netting was a popular pastime from the mid-18th century through the early 19th century, and was practiced by both men and women. Whereas men generally worked on utilitarian nets for use in fishing, hunting, or gardening, the favorite object for women was the netted purse.... Read More →
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