Purses & Reticules
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 →
Beaded Sovereign Purses
These tiny, flat coin purses — called sovereign purses in England — were often kept inside the larger reticule, or hung from a chatelaine. They were sometimes pretty enough to double as an evening... Read More →
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 →
Pocket Cases
The pocket gave its name to variety of accessories carried within it, including the pocket case, small envelope-style purses that would have been slipped inside a pocket... Read More →
Pocket Case with Silver Spangles
This envelope-style purse is made of ribbed blue silk decorated with silver spangles. Closed, it has a flap that at one point had a button or snap to keep it closed. Underneath the flap you can see part of a basket decoration. Though the body of the purse is soft, the flap is reinforced with a light... Read More →
Silk Embroidered Pocket Case
This envelope-style purse is made of plain-weave silk and embroidered with silk and silver metallic threads. Folded in half, each face shows the same design: a bouquet of various-colored flowers tied together with a bow made of silver metallic thread... Read More →
Silver Link Purse, c1815
This tiny coin purse (4" long) is made of hand-linked silver rings attached to a sterling silver frame. The frame has a floral design, a press-type clasp, and a central ring, likely used to attached the purse to a chatelaine... Read More →