Purse
18th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Harvey Smith
Accession Number
1967-53-1
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### 18th-Century Purse Step into the elegant world of 18th fashion with this intriguing purse from the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection of costume and accessories. Dating to the 1700s, a time of colonial refinement and emerging American identity, such purses were indispensable accessories. Women—and sometimes men—relied on them to carry coins, keys, and personal essentials, as dresses lacked practical pockets. Crafted during an era of Enlightenment ideals and transatlantic trade, this piece likely reflects the period's blend of European influences and budding American craftsmanship....
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...