American Reticule 3 sectional beaded Bag with floral motif
American Reticule 3 sectional beaded Bag with floral motif. Silk plaid header in shades of rose and green with a green silk ribbon drawstring. Center section with large roses, blue flowers and green leaves against a gray background.Third section has tiny flowers and designs in white, green and light blue with a line of tan. Black beads along the three sides bottom edge. 5-1/2” x 6-1/2.” DATE: Around 1840 to 1875.
Black satin Reticule
Black satin Reticule with narrow piece of black satin ribbon on each side that are connected with a large grosgrain ribbon bow for carrying. There are 7 crocheted rings in a circular pattern on the front and a 2” stiffened circle on the back. 5” at its widest x 5-1/4.” DATE: 1890s.
Blue beaded American Reticule Bag
Blue beaded American Reticule Bag with gray silk crocheted header and 10 attached metal rings to accommodate the narrow corded drawstring. Drawstring has faux mother of pearl on each end for pulling. Beaded in a floral motif in black, red, green, gold and yellow. Blue beaded tassel. Bag 7” x 10-1/2.” DATE: Around 1840 to 1875.
Brown suede six sided Reticule Purse in an hour glass shape
Brown suede six sided Reticule Purse in an hour glass shape with a small outer snap coin purse on each side. All edges of both are beaded in clear and black glass beads with a decorative diamond pattern and a 2-1/2” looped fringe in clear glass beads. 2 metal eyelets along the top for drawstring. 9-1/2 long without fringe. DATE: Edwardian Period, early 1900s.
2010.61.7a Red leather Pouch style purses with brass framing along the opening and an embossed Egyptian motif across the top. The clasp, with two royal lions and a center ring is the same on both sides of the purses. The red leather handles, with slight differences, are looped and meant to be carried on the wrist. After King Tut’s Tomb was discovered in 1923 Egyptian motifs became very popular in clothing, jewelry, advertising and all aspects of life. DATE: Circa 1925.
2-1/2” wide brass frame across the top is embossed with 2 Egyptian dogs or perhaps cats. Both animals were revered and in early carvings and murals they often looked so similar that it can be hard to distinguish between them. Purse is lined in purple taffeta w/a small taffeta pouch and covered mirror attached to the inside. Label reads, “Warranted crushed leather.” 6-1/2’ at its widest and 6-3/4” long.
Coin Purse crocheted in deep red and embellished
Coin Purse crocheted in deep red and embellished with tiny silver beads in a diamond pattern and a sunburst center. Metal frame along the top with a kiss closure. Back same as the front. 2-1/2” at its widest x 2-3/4.” DATE: Early 1900s.
Coin Purse, round metal purse
Coin Purse, round metal purse, lid and bottom covered with black leather. The front is probably brass plated with a repousse portrait of an Art Nouveau woman with a bow at her shoulder. Inside is accordion folded in a burgundy fabric, the outside edges of the two pockets have a metal frame along the top to accommodate a tiny metal closure. A larger closure in the same style is used on the outside of the case. DATE: 1890s.
Gray leather Reticule Purse closes
Gray leather Reticule Purse closes with leather drawstring. Beaded design in the front, along the sides and fringe. Small glass beads in white, green and red as well as larger round white ones. 5” at its widest and 8” long excluding fringe.
Handmade pale green velvet Pouch
Handmade pale green velvet Pouch with tiny silver and brass beads. The top is open, along one side is a small looped piece of the velvet with a large metal finger ring. Pouch is 4” at its widest and 5” long.
Tam O Shanter Coin Purse
Tam O’Shanter Coin Purse, round metal lid probably nickel silver over brass with repousse of an Art Nouveau woman’s face in profile. Bottom of purse is crocheted in a pinwheel design in clear crystal beads. Lid 2” D. Tam O’Shanter was the hero of Robert Burns poem of the same name written in 1791. DATE: 1890s to early 1900s.
Victorian mother-of-pearl bivalve Shell Coin Purse
Victorian mother-of-pearl bivalve Shell Coin Purse with hand painted green leaves and orange flowers. The inside of the purse is lined in a heavy red textured paper, said to be dyed red pebbly shark skin. It has 3 sections, the center section for coins.They were usually purchased as souvenirs and it probably had something hand written on the front such as “Souvenir of the Fair.” Decorative brass art nouveau clasp and hinge, original chain handle. Measures 4-3/4” x 2-1/2.” DATE: Late 1800s into Edwardian Period.A shell purse is a type of coin purse that is made from whole or trimmed mollusk shells, especially from bivalve mollusc shells. These purses are of mainly novelty use and purchased as souvenirs of visits, etc. In the past, some were engraved or painted[1] with floral or other decorations, sentimental messages, personal or place names. In many cases there was extra working of the shell, either grinding down and polishing to expose the mother of pearl or filing to form patterns such as criss-cross designs.
The use of shells as purses mainly dates from the end of the 19th century, when the Victorians love of the natural world and passion for collecting seashells coincided with the middle classes being able to take holidays and make journeys to the seaside on the newly constructed railways. Visitors to seaside resorts often wished to take back souvenirs of their excursions, and shell purses were one of many items produced by entrepreneurial shopkeepers. They have been made in various parts of the world such as the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, etc
Freshwater mussel shells were often used. Because they are relatively large bivalves the purse could accommodate an interior mechanism such as an accordion to separate coins into different denominations, etc. Shark skin was often used as a liner, dyed appropriately in red, blue, green, etc
Freshwater mussel shells were often used. Because they are relatively large bivalves the purse could accommodate an interior mechanism such as an accordion to separate coins into different denominations, etc. Shark skin was often used as a liner, dyed appropriately in red, blue, green, etc
YWCA navy blue silk Bag in hexagon shape
YWCA navy blue silk Bag in hexagon shape heavily beaded in a diamond pattern along with a solid navy beaded horizontal strip across the center with the YWCA logo in gold with a red beaded “YWCA.” Both sides identical. Purse is lined in pink polished cotton, with one small interior pocket, fastens with a snap at center top and has a self fabric loop handle to be carried on wrist. It is trimmed around the opening with a box pleated self fabric ruffle and loop handle, to be carried on wrist. Looped beaded fringe in white, gold, navy and red along the bottom. 6-1/2” wide at center and 8” long. The Young Women’s Christian Association of the USA was incorporated in New York City in 1907. DATE: Anytime after 1907 and into the 20s and 30s.