Not currently on display at the V&A

Purse

ca. 1940 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Leather purse with mirror work inserts and small orange seeds set in the lower part. Further decorated with applique leather strips around the mirrors and seeds, and the remains of floss silk embroidery at the top. The whole purse is covered with leather thongs inserted through seeds and ending in flattened leather beading. These almost entirely obscure the decoration of the body of the purse. Long leather twisted thongs are attached to the mouth for closure. These also end in clusters of seeds and leather ornaments.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Leather, mirror, seeds, appliqued, partly embroidered with floss silk, beaded
Brief description
Leather purse with mirror work, Assam, ca. 1940
Physical description
Leather purse with mirror work inserts and small orange seeds set in the lower part. Further decorated with applique leather strips around the mirrors and seeds, and the remains of floss silk embroidery at the top. The whole purse is covered with leather thongs inserted through seeds and ending in flattened leather beading. These almost entirely obscure the decoration of the body of the purse. Long leather twisted thongs are attached to the mouth for closure. These also end in clusters of seeds and leather ornaments.
Dimensions
  • Width: 8.6cm
  • Length: 12cm
Production
Possibly Naga Hills, Assam (or Afghanistan?). From Archer collection.
Collection
Accession number
IS.155-1989

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Record createdOctober 12, 2004
Record URL
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