Miser's Purse

Miser's purse made of silk, England, mid-19th century. Miser's purse made of silk, England, mid-19th century. Copyright Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, acc. no. C.I.46.50.

A miser's purge is a long and almost stocking-like tube of cloth, closed at both ends, with an opening in the middle, and squeezed through two (gold or silver coloured) rings (called the sliders), which were used to keep the coins in place and separate them.

A miser's purse was generally made of netting or knitting (sometimes crocheted) and often decorated with applied ornaments (shells, pearls), or with beading, tassels, etc. Those used by women were at times further decorated with beads or knitted designs (flowers). 

Miser's purses, also called ring, string, finger, stocking or wallet purses, came into fashion in the late eighteenth century and remained in use until the early twentieth century.

Digital source (retrieved 31 August 2016).

Metropolitan Museum of Art online catalogue (retrieved 31 August 2016).

WV

Last modified on Sunday, 26 March 2017 18:08
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