Victorian Shell Coin Purse
Antique shell purse made from a freshwater pearl mussel. Hand painted flowers on one side. Chain, hinge and clasp are all in working order. The inside is lined with red textured paper & fabric, to make 3 compartments. Measures just over 4 1/2" long.
From Wikipedia: The use of shells as purses mainly dates from the end of the 19th century, when the Victorians love of the natural world and passion for collecting seashells coincided with the middle classes being able to take holidays and make journeys to the seaside on the newly constructed railways. Visitors to seaside resorts often wished to take back souvenirs of their excursions, and shell purses were one of many items produced by entrepreneurial shopkeepers.
Antique shell purse made from a freshwater pearl mussel. Hand painted flowers on one side. Chain, hinge and clasp are all in working order. The inside is lined with red textured paper & fabric, to make 3 compartments. Measures just over 4 1/2" long.
From Wikipedia: The use of shells as purses mainly dates from the end of the 19th century, when the Victorians love of the natural world and passion for collecting seashells coincided with the middle classes being able to take holidays and make journeys to the seaside on the newly constructed railways. Visitors to seaside resorts often wished to take back souvenirs of their excursions, and shell purses were one of many items produced by entrepreneurial shopkeepers.
Antique shell purse made from a freshwater pearl mussel. Hand painted flowers on one side. Chain, hinge and clasp are all in working order. The inside is lined with red textured paper & fabric, to make 3 compartments. Measures just over 4 1/2" long.
From Wikipedia: The use of shells as purses mainly dates from the end of the 19th century, when the Victorians love of the natural world and passion for collecting seashells coincided with the middle classes being able to take holidays and make journeys to the seaside on the newly constructed railways. Visitors to seaside resorts often wished to take back souvenirs of their excursions, and shell purses were one of many items produced by entrepreneurial shopkeepers.