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
1953-106-50
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the early 19th century with charming *Miser's Purse*, a delightful example of period costume accessory from the Smithsonian American Art's collection. Dating to the Regency era, these purses were ingenious inventions designed for practicality: featuring two compartments accessed via sliding rings, they allowed users—often women—to separate coins or small valuables, earning their "miser" nickname for the secure, stingy way they guarded money. Crafted as a gift from Mrs. Albert Blum, this piece reflects everyday elegance in American life. Typically handmade through knitting, crochetin...
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...