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Purses Collection (#3)

"Purses: A Timeless Symbol of Elegance, Utility

Background imagePurses Collection: Womens fashion 1909

Womens fashion 1909
Two examples of summer Princess frocks, which are distinctly modelled, the pleated skirt falling from a tight-fitting tunic either long or short. Date: 1909

Background imagePurses Collection: Opening of the Royal Military Exhibition, the Princess of Wales receiving Purses for the Soldiers

Opening of the Royal Military Exhibition, the Princess of Wales receiving Purses for the Soldiers Institutes (engraving)
1627026 Opening of the Royal Military Exhibition, the Princess of Wales receiving Purses for the Soldiers Institutes (engraving) by English School

Background imagePurses Collection: The Prince of Wales at Bournemouth (engraving)

The Prince of Wales at Bournemouth (engraving)
1626717 The Prince of Wales at Bournemouth (engraving) by Paget, Walter (1863-1935); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Prince of Wales at Bournemouth)

Background imagePurses Collection: Sketches at the Opening of the Victoria Hall, Ealing (engraving)

Sketches at the Opening of the Victoria Hall, Ealing (engraving)
1595888 Sketches at the Opening of the Victoria Hall, Ealing (engraving) by Wright, Henry Charles Seppings (1850-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches at the Opening of the Victoria Hall)

Background imagePurses Collection: Ah! Sure such a pair was never seen so justly form d to meet by nature, pub

Ah! Sure such a pair was never seen so justly form d to meet by nature, pub
2655348 Ah! Sure such a pair was never seen so justly form d to meet by nature, pub. 1820 (hand coloured engraving) by Cruikshank

Background imagePurses Collection: Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto (engraving)

Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto (engraving)
1048842 Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto)

Background imagePurses Collection: The Opening of the Princess Alice Memorial Hospital by the Prince

The Opening of the Princess Alice Memorial Hospital by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Eastbourne (engraving)
1044286 The Opening of the Princess Alice Memorial Hospital by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Eastbourne (engraving) by English School

Background imagePurses Collection: The Prince of Wales laying the Foundation-Stone of the New Wing of St Marys Hospital, Paddington

The Prince of Wales laying the Foundation-Stone of the New Wing of St Marys Hospital, Paddington
1610345 The Prince of Wales laying the Foundation-Stone of the New Wing of St Marys Hospital, Paddington, His Royal Highness receiving Purses from Ladies and Children (engraving) by English School

Background imagePurses Collection: Inauguration of the British Orphan Asylum at Slough, the Ladies placing Purses containing

Inauguration of the British Orphan Asylum at Slough, the Ladies placing Purses containing Contributions on the Table
1102562 Inauguration of the British Orphan Asylum at Slough, the Ladies placing Purses containing Contributions on the Table before the Prince and Princess of Wales (engraving) by English School

Background imagePurses Collection: Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto (engraving)

Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto (engraving)
1052914 Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Parkins and Gotto)

Background imagePurses Collection: The Glovemakers Wife, c. 1735 (colour engraving)

The Glovemakers Wife, c. 1735 (colour engraving)
CHT247656 The Glovemakers Wife, c.1735 (colour engraving) by Engelbrecht, Martin (1684-1756); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Background imagePurses Collection: Princess Christian at Eastbourne (engraving)

Princess Christian at Eastbourne (engraving)
1621952 Princess Christian at Eastbourne (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Princess Christian at Eastbourne)

Background imagePurses Collection: Sketches at the Bazaar for Macready House Theatrical Mission Institute (engraving)

Sketches at the Bazaar for Macready House Theatrical Mission Institute (engraving)
1591567 Sketches at the Bazaar for Macready House Theatrical Mission Institute (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePurses Collection: Princess Christian at Golders Hill, Her Royal Highness receiving Purses in Aid of the Hampstead

Princess Christian at Golders Hill, Her Royal Highness receiving Purses in Aid of the Hampstead Home Hospital (litho)
1598953 Princess Christian at Golders Hill, Her Royal Highness receiving Purses in Aid of the Hampstead Home Hospital (litho) by English School

Background imagePurses Collection: Purses, pouches and bags (chromolitho)

Purses, pouches and bags (chromolitho)
964308 Purses, pouches and bags (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Purses, pouches and bags (aumonieres, bourses, sac); 12th to 16th century

Background imagePurses Collection: The Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Brighton (engraving)

The Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Brighton (engraving)
1054487 The Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Brighton (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePurses Collection: The Princess of Wales receiving Purses after opening the New Working Lads Institute at Whitechapel

The Princess of Wales receiving Purses after opening the New Working Lads Institute at Whitechapel (engraving)
1041216 The Princess of Wales receiving Purses after opening the New Working Lads Institute at Whitechapel (engraving) by English School

Background imagePurses Collection: Wedding Coin Purse, c. 1937. Creator: Ellen Duncan

Wedding Coin Purse, c. 1937. Creator: Ellen Duncan
Wedding Coin Purse, c. 1937

Background imagePurses Collection: Purse, c. 1936. Creator: Phyllis Dorr

Purse, c. 1936. Creator: Phyllis Dorr
Purse, c. 1936

Background imagePurses Collection: Coin Purse, c. 1938. Creator: Gladys Cook

Coin Purse, c. 1938. Creator: Gladys Cook
Coin Purse, c. 1938

Background imagePurses Collection: Coin Purse, c. 1936. Creator: Gladys Cook

Coin Purse, c. 1936. Creator: Gladys Cook
Coin Purse, c. 1936

Background imagePurses Collection: Purse, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Gladys Cook

Purse, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Gladys Cook
Purse, 1935/1942

Background imagePurses Collection: Handbag, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Florence Earl

Handbag, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Florence Earl
Handbag, 1935/1942

Background imagePurses Collection: Purse, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Florence Earl

Purse, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Florence Earl
Purse, 1935/1942

Background imagePurses Collection: Coin Purse, c. 1941. Creator: Carl Buergerniss

Coin Purse, c. 1941. Creator: Carl Buergerniss
Coin Purse, c. 1941

Background imagePurses Collection: Reticule, c. 1939. Creator: Marie Alain

Reticule, c. 1939. Creator: Marie Alain
Reticule, c. 1939

Background imagePurses Collection: Girl Makes a Wish Date: 1950

Girl Makes a Wish Date: 1950

Background imagePurses Collection: Poster of a costume jewellery factory in Mahon, Menorca

Poster of a costume jewellery factory in Mahon, Menorca. Ad of post Modernist style from the early 20th century, intended for export, drawing by Josep Camins

Background imagePurses Collection: Christmas card in the shape of a purse

Christmas card in the shape of a purse. (1 of 2) Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePurses Collection: New Year card in the shape of a purse

New Year card in the shape of a purse. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePurses Collection: Snuff container, Mid-19th century. Creator: Unknown

Snuff container, Mid-19th century. Creator: Unknown
Snuff container composed of a gourd covered in glass bead netting with bottom beaded fringe. The gourd hangs suspended from a glass bead necklace

Background imagePurses Collection: Christmas card in the shape of a purse

Christmas card in the shape of a purse, open to reveal a bunch of violets and ferns. (2 of 2) Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePurses Collection: Red purse full of money on a cutout card

Red purse full of money on a cutout card
Red purse full of coins, notes and stamps on a cutout card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePurses Collection: Advert for Wilson & Gill womens mesh chain bag & purse 1913

Advert for Wilson & Gill womens mesh chain bag & purse 1913
Choice of gold or silver fine chain pleated mesh bags & purses with ball clasp. 1913

Background imagePurses Collection: Purse full of money on a cutout Christmas card

Purse full of money on a cutout Christmas card
Purse (open) full of money (notes and coins) on a cutout Christmas card. (2 of 2) Date: 1889

Background imagePurses Collection: Advert for Asprey clutch bags 1928

Advert for Asprey clutch bags 1928
A selection of 1920s clutch handbags, made of various types of leather. Date: 1928

Background imagePurses Collection: Three coins by open spotted purse, side view

Three coins by open spotted purse, side view

Background imagePurses Collection: Source Size = 3964 x 2734

Source Size = 3964 x 2734
Laying the Foundation Stone of the Merchant Seamens Orphan Asylum, by the Prince Consort: Ladies Placing Purses on the Stone

Background imagePurses Collection: Source Size = 3984 x 2724

Source Size = 3984 x 2724
The Prince of Wales Opening the Warehousemen and Clerks New Schools: Ladies Placing Purses before the Prince, 1866

Background imagePurses Collection: Young drinker, Anonymous, Johannes Pietersz. Berendrecht, 1590 - 1610

Young drinker, Anonymous, Johannes Pietersz. Berendrecht, 1590 - 1610

Background imagePurses Collection: Avarice, Pieter van der Heyden, Hieronymus Cock, unknown, 1558

Avarice, Pieter van der Heyden, Hieronymus Cock, unknown, 1558

Background imagePurses Collection: Greed (Avaritia), Jacob Matham, Franco Estius, 1593

Greed (Avaritia), Jacob Matham, Franco Estius, 1593

Background imagePurses Collection: Change Purse With Bills And Coins

Change Purse With Bills And Coins
UNITED STATES - Circa 1950s: Change Purse With Bills And Coins. (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images)

Background imagePurses Collection: Purse full of money on a cutout Christmas card

Purse full of money on a cutout Christmas card
Purse full of money (notes and coins) on a cutout Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePurses Collection: Petticoat Lane Market, London - Clothes Auction

Petticoat Lane Market, London - Clothes Auction. A street clothes market on Wentworth Street and Middlesex Street. Secondhand clothes

Background imagePurses Collection: Asprey handbags advertisement

Asprey handbags advertisement
A wide variety of hand bags, clutches and purses available from Asprey of Bond Street including a number of fashionable tapestry and petit point bags

Background imagePurses Collection: Handicrafts, Sunday market, Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Central America

Handicrafts, Sunday market, Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Central America

Background imagePurses Collection: Nos Loisirs March 1924

Nos Loisirs March 1924
Warm tubular shaped low waisted dresses: one with fur cuffs & collar & a pleated skirt, the other with double hip flounces. N.B ribbed stockings & small bags/ purses




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"Purses: A Timeless Symbol of Elegance, Utility, and Sentiment" From the opulent Asprey Christmas presents in 1926 to the captivating "Fortune Restrained by Love" painting from 1623, they have long been cherished as more than just accessories. These small yet significant objects hold stories, memories, and emotions within their delicate folds. Imagine receiving a Christmas card shaped like a purse or a New Year card adorned with intricate purse designs; these charming gestures remind us of the sentimental value attached to these timeless fashion pieces. In Laos' Vientiane Riverside Ethnic Night Market or Cambodia's Central Market in Phnom Penh, silk purses serve as exquisite souvenirs that encapsulate local craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Percival Jenner's iconic Purse design from 1935/1942 showcases how artistry can be seamlessly merged with functionality. Meanwhile, at the Children's Party held at Mansion House, London's Lady Mayoress receives purses subscribed for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children - an embodiment of compassion and philanthropy. Not limited to holding money alone, they have evolved over time to encompass various forms such as handkerchief folders designed by Cecily Edwards in 1936. These innovative creations demonstrate how purses adapt to our ever-changing needs while retaining their charm. Beyond fashion and utility lies historical significance; James Phillips' book "The Present State of Great Britain" published in 1779 sheds light on societal norms surrounding wealth and status during that era. Similarly intriguing is France's Miser Bag from 1801-1850 - an enigmatic accessory used by individuals keen on discreetly carrying valuables. Even across continents like Japan, we find Kubo Shunman's Coin Pouch alongside a potted Adonis flower - symbolizing prosperity and beauty intertwined within one portable treasure.