Purse thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Purse

ca. 1850-80 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This enamelled coin purse lined with red glazed cotton was almost certainly made in Paris, most likely in the 1860s or 1870s. Though unsigned, it is similar in style to French work of the period. It would have been one of a range of small luxury or novelty items, purchased as gifts for female use or for souvenirs. Such work adorns opera glasses made by optical instrument maker Lemaire of Paris.

The two framed enamel plaques which form the purse mounts are attractively enamelled using a combination of techniques. The central reserve on the purse front bears a painted posy of flowers featuring roses and morning glory. The reserve surround is of raised gilded enamel. The purse is also decorated both front and back with silver and gold foils stamped with scrolls, flowers and shell-like decorative motifs.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Enamelled copper with painted decoration, raised gilded enamel decoration and stamped silver and gold foils. Base metal embossed frame, steel hinge, red glazed cotton lining edged with red leather.
Brief description
Purse with two enamelled mounts painted with flowers and lined with red glazed cotton, probably Paris, ca.1850-80
Physical description
Small coin purse consisting of two enamelled copper mounts and a red glazed cotton lining. Both mounted enamel plaques have a ground of royal blue enamel decorated with stamped silver and gold foils. The front plaque of the two has in addition a central oval reserve painted in colours with a posy of flowers against a white ground and surrounded by raised gilded scrolling. The plaques are framed in embossed base metal and joined with a hinge at the base and a clasp at the top. They are mounted onto the red glazed cotton purse compartment.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5.3cm (including clasp)
  • Height: 5cm (excepting clasp)
  • Width: 6.5cm (greatest width)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Wanda Sheridan in memory of Jan and Jadwiga Praglowski
Object history
Purchased by the donor's Polish grandfather from an antique shop in Poland ca. 1948-52, as a gift for his wife. Given to their daughter, the donor's mother, who took it to Canada ca. 1975-80 and subsequently gave it to the donor in 2013.

The purse is almost certainly of Parisian origin and made during the period 1850 to 1880. The style of enamelling is reminiscent of Charles Dotin's wares for the 1862 London International Exhibition, though as an unmarked small luxury or novelty item, is unlikely to have been Dotin's work. The enamelling is attractive and very neatly executed similar to work decorating opera glasses by optical instrument maker Lemaire of Paris.
Historical context
Coin purse, small luxury or novelty item.
Production
The purse combines three enamelling techniques. The floral decoration is painted. It is surrounded by raised gilded enamel. The purse is decorated front and back with silver and gold foils stamped with scrolls, flowers and shell-like decorative motifs. It may well have been made by the same workshop as Circ.791-1969, a Great Exhibition souvenir purse which bears in addition translucent green enamel over silver foil and a circle of 'pearls' echoing the decoration of smart Genevan gold box lids from the first half of the nineteenth century.
Subject depicted
Summary
This enamelled coin purse lined with red glazed cotton was almost certainly made in Paris, most likely in the 1860s or 1870s. Though unsigned, it is similar in style to French work of the period. It would have been one of a range of small luxury or novelty items, purchased as gifts for female use or for souvenirs. Such work adorns opera glasses made by optical instrument maker Lemaire of Paris.

The two framed enamel plaques which form the purse mounts are attractively enamelled using a combination of techniques. The central reserve on the purse front bears a painted posy of flowers featuring roses and morning glory. The reserve surround is of raised gilded enamel. The purse is also decorated both front and back with silver and gold foils stamped with scrolls, flowers and shell-like decorative motifs.
Bibliographic reference
'Enamels of the World 1700-2000: the Khalili Collections', ed. Haydn Williams, 2009
Collection
Accession number
C.7-2015

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Record createdMarch 24, 2015
Record URL
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