Black knitted purse with vertical bands of clear beading, narrowing toward top where there are two horizontal strips of beading. Silver--colored metal frame with design of swirls. Bud-shaped clasps snap to open or close. Chain-link hand strap. Fabric lining is turquoise blue.
Knitted purse with vertical bands of gold beading, wide at bottom and narrowing toward top where beading is solid. Side loop gold bead fringes. Gold-colored metal frame with design of swirls. Bud-shaped clasps snap to open or close. Chain-link hand strap.
Some green corrosion on frame. Satin lining fragile with tears. Some missing beads on fringes. Some wear on bead on fringe and lower area of purse. Small envelope of detached beads.
Object ID
2012.008.4
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Black knitted beaded drawstring bag. Purse is a single fabric, seamed on both sides. Trapezoid-shaped bag with alternating columns of narrow and wider vertical columns of black beads. Fringe of beaded loops at bottom. Beaded drawstring drawn through 8 beaded loops and knotted on one side to from hand strap.
a: Fine mesh purse with painted floral pattern. 1/2-inch ruffle of delicate mesh along bottom edge. Pale green satin lining. Purse is attached to a decorated gold-colored metal frame. Ball clasp closure. Gold figure-8 chain link hand strap.
b: A round beveled mirror inside bag is backed with gold-colored metal.
Handmade beaded bag with ornate metal top and rounded-link chains. Push-peg opening and metal ring attached to opposite side in center. Engraved inside, on right: "Wheatland Mary Willson Rettew/ Lancaster, Penna". Engraved on left: "Made by Mary E. Willson/ Christmas/ 1913." (Mary E. Willson made this purse as a Christmas gift for her cousin, Mary Willson Rettew.)
Red beading at top with blue line borders above center section of large rose, blue and yellow flowers and leaves. A steepled structure stands between two tree near the bottom.
Monogramed sterling silver mesh purse with compact mirror, blue bead or jewel in hasp and 1/4" wide silver ribbon handle. Maker's mark on inside "WB" enclosed in a diamond shape. "Patented June 4 1918", "No. 52097", "Sterling" Monogram on outside/top of mirror: "MAF."
Rectangular linen drawstring bag. Two side openings to for crocheted strands/drawstrings. At these opening there are two crocheted bobbles dangling. Interior is lined with pink silk. Bottom decorative 3 inches is 6 rows of circles made with crochet thread with pink silk lining behind it. There is a knotted fringe on the bottom.
Year Range From
1910
Year Range To
1930
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 3
Storage Cabinet
Unit 14
Storage Shelf
Shelf 5
Storage Container
Box 0495
Object Name
Purse
Length (cm)
40.64
Length (ft)
1.3333333333
Length (in)
16
Width (cm)
22.86
Width (ft)
0.75
Width (in)
9
Dimension Details
16 inches with fringe.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2018-07-23
Condition Notes
Silk lining inside that is covering the drawstring channel is worn and actually torn in some parts. Some soiling and spots on the linen.
