Purse

Art Historical Context

This mid-19th-century European, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, a glimpse into the refined world of Victorian-era fashion accessories. Crafted during a time of rapid industrialization and expanding middle-class tastes across Europe, such purses served both practical and ornamental purposes, holding essentials like coins, cards, or calling cards while signaling social status through their design and craftsmanship. Though the artist remains unknown, the purse exemplifies the period's emphasis on elegance and portability in personal adornments. Donated as a gift from Lee Simonson in 1938, it joins the Costume Institute's renowned collection, which preserves garments and accessories that illuminate everyday life and cultural shifts. Visitors can appreciate how these intimate objects reflected broader trends in European style, blending functionality with subtle artistry. (168 words)