Miser's Purse
c. 1890
19th Century
1 3/4 in. x 14 in.
Artist/Maker Unknown,
Object Type:
Clothing and Accessories
Medium and Support:
cloth on metal
Credit Line:
Florence Griswold Museum; Gift of the estate of Mrs. William F. Coult
Accession Number:
1964.82
A red knit purse usually called a miser's purse. This one constists of two small bags connected with a narrow sleeve. An opening in the sleeve allows access to the bag. Two metal rings slide along the sleeve to open or close the bag. The miser's purse was popular in the 1850s, but the cut steel beads that decorate this bag may indicate that it was made after 1890.