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1949.10.44

Long knitted silk purse with steel beads. [MJD 25/05/2010]

1949.10.44

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Collection type
Object
Description
Long knitted silk purse with steel beads. [MJD 25/05/2010]
Long description
Long knitted silk purse dotted with cut steel beads. The purse is green with alternating vertical bands of red and yellow. One end of the purse has a fringe of steel beads. The other end of the purse has two facetted steel balls. The purse has two steel rings and a slit opening in the middle. The green silk is knit in reverse stocking stitch and the red and yellow rows are knit in stocking stitch creating a ribbed effect. [MJD 25/05/2010]
Cultural groups
English
Date / Period
Date made: 1800-1900
Date collected
By 1949
Acquisition information
Donated: 1949
Materials and processes
Material Silk Textile Animal, Material Steel Metal, Material Bead, Process Knitted, Process Faceted, Process Plated, Process Strung
Dimensions
Length: max 264 mm, Width: max 60 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1949.10.44
Research and responses

In the 1901 census she is listed as being aged 15, born in Crediton Devon and living in Hastings [presumably Sussex] ‘on own means’ [Alison Petch [as part of 'The Other Within' project 2006-9] 23/02/2007]

http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/bags/bags02.html: Small knitted, netted or crocheted silk or cotton coin purses are also characteristic of this period and were known as stocking purses, or 'miser' purses. By mid century these had metal fastenings and the whole was often made of a delicate metal chain, which supported sovereigns and half sovereigns, hence the term 'sovereign purse'. Chamois leather was also used, together with metal rings to secure the coins. Sovereign cases were of circular metal design, with an internal spring to release a coin at a time. It is worth noting that in North America handbags are still called purses, which may refer back to their introduction there from Europe after 1800, when they will still primarily coin purses. [AP 25/09/2006]

Search terms: Currency, Bag, Purse

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