Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Purse

late 17th century
Not on view
Attributed either French or English, this is a beautifully worked pouch, with four equally-sized sides, each sporting three eyelets through which a fine cord would once have been fed. Embroidered in colorful silks and sparkling metal drawn thread, it is only just over 4 inches' tall: a perfect size to nestle in its lucky owner's hand, drawstring drawn tight over candied nuts (Shakespeare's "kissing comfits"), or a pomander, or even a love token.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Purse
  • Date: late 17th century
  • Culture: British or French
  • Medium: Silk and metal thread
  • Dimensions: L. 4 1/4 x W. 2 1/2 inches (10.8 x 6.4 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, by exchange, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.23.25
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
"Royal George" Cello, William Forster British, Spruce, maple, ebony, British
"Royal George" Cello
William Forster
1782
Purse, Silk and cut steel, embroidered net, French
Purse
French
early 19th century
Gamba Bow, Wood, British
Gamba Bow
British
first half 18th century
Purse, Canvas worked with silk and metal thread; Gobelin, tent, knots and plaited braid stitches, silk and metal thread cord and tassels, British
Purse
British
early 17th century
Alto Recorder, Joseph Bradbury British, Wood, ivory, British
Alto Recorder
Joseph Bradbury
ca. 1700

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.