Miser's purse
early 19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Albert Blum
Accession Number
1953-106-74
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of early 19th American fashion with this intriguing *Miser's Purse*, a clever accessory from the Smithsonian American Museum's costume and accessories collection. Dating to the early 1800s, these purses were practical inventions designed to securely hold coins and small valuables. Featuring a distinctive sliding ring or clasp mechanism that sealed both ends, they earned their "miser's" nickname for thwarting pickpockets and symbolizing thrift—perfect for an era of growing commerce and personal finance in post-Revolutionary America. Though the artist and exact medium remain...
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...