Pocket book
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor Garnier Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-40-14
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the intimate world of 19th fashion with this charming *Pocket Book*, a delightful artifact from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's of costumes and accessories. Dating to the 1800s, pocket books this one were indispensable for women, serving as portable repositories for essentials such as handkerchiefs, keys, and small treasures. Unlike modern purses, these were often crafted as flat, rectangular pouches tied around the waist beneath voluminous skirts, blending functionality with personal style. Though the artist and exact medium remain under research—a nod to the ongoing scholarly detective work at the Smithsonian—this piece exemplifies the era's ingenuity in everyday adornment. Pocket books frequently showcased embroidery, beading, or leatherwork, reflecting the domestic arts and social graces prized in Victorian society. Gifted by Eleanor Garnier Hewitt, a visionary collector whose donations enriched American design holdings, it whispers tales of bygone mobility and modesty. Today, it invites us to ponder how accessories shaped identity, bridging art, utility, and history in the Smithsonian's treasured archives. (178 words)
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...