#7116 $110
Bead knitted miser's purse, 19th century
Miser's purses originated in the late eighteenth century and were popular into the early 1900's with both men and women.
This one is worked in black cotton yarn and is decorated with cut steel beads incorporated into the knitted pattern. The ends are embellished with steel balls.
The different round and square shapes of the ends enabled the user to separate and find her gold or silver coins. Sliding the center rings apart reveals the slit opening.
The condition is almost excellent. One steel ball is missing on the round end. If you remove the attachment link, nobody will know that a ball is missing.
It measures 9 1/2" long by 2" wide.
