Victorian Miser's Purse - Original Black outlet Silk Cut Steel Beads

Victorian Miser's Purse - Original Black Silk Cut Steel Beads

Here is a lovely original mid-Victorian era black silk miser's purse decorated with hundreds of tiny cut steel beads. Two small purses of the same size connected in the middle by a loop that would have been used with a chatelaine clip. Some damage to the crocheted cords connecting one purse to outlet the loop but purse is still sound and usable. Measures 8" in length with beads, each side measures 3" in length by 2" in width.

Miser's purses are among many unusual and little-known costume accessories that pervade today's museum collections. These small purses with center slit openings and sliding rings or clasp closures were used throughout the nineteenth century. Nineteenth-century miser's purses developed from seventeenth- and eighteenth-century purses, which were also long and narrow with slit openings. Miser's purses were designed with one rounded and one square end, the different shapes had a purpose - in the frequently poor lighting the correct coins could be withdrawn by feel. The square end with fringe might contain silver coins and a contrasting diamond, round, gathered or tasseled end, gold coins Miser's purse is a term that dates to the turn of the twentieth century, near the end of the purse's popularity. It was inspired by the purse's design, which made it very difficult to retrieve its contents. Nineteenth-century miser's purses were made as single-element or double structures from silk net, crochet or knit, although other materials, such as leather, chain-link mesh, hair, and wool or velvet cloth, were sometimes used. Largely used to store coins, miser's purses were often given as gifts to friends and family, and sold at charitable fundraisers. The purses were made by women, but given to and used by both women and men. Men would have stored their purses in the pockets of their breeches, jackets or coats, while women would have kept their purses in their skirt pockets or bags. Women's magazine writers frequently recommended miser's purses as gifts for friends and family members for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. The purses were also given to prospective suitors as tokens of affection in courtship. The highly-decorated purses were considered ideal items to sell at contemporary fundraising or fancy fairs as they were very eye-catching and inexpensive to make.

Please see my other original Victorian accessories at http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments?section_id=7179692 I've got a great selection of original Victorian jewelry too!