Miser's purse
early 19th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Albert Blum
Accession Number
1953-106-105
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of early 19th-century fashion with this charming *Miser's Purse*, a delightful accessory from the Smithsonian American Museum's collection of costume and accessories. Dating to the Regency era, this piece exemplifies the intricate handcrafts popular among women of the time. Typically fashioned from knitted silk or wool adorned with gleaming steel beads, miser's purses featured a sliding ring mechanism that opened two separate compartments—one for paper money and another for coins—perfect for the practical yet stylish lady on the go. These purses, often made at home...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...