Miser's purse
1810–30
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Albert Blum
Accession Number
1953-106-70
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of early 19th-century American fashion with this charming *Miser's Purse*, dating from 1810–30. Part of the Smithsonian American Art's costume and accessories collection, this petite accessory exemplifies everyday ingenuity from the Federal period. Miser's purses, also called string purses, were popular among women of modest means, featuring two compartments: one for personal items and a secure pouch for coins, accessed via a sliding ring or key mechanism to deter thieves—a clever nod to the era's pickpocket concerns amid rising urban commerce. Though the artist remains un...
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...