Even More Walnut Purse Envy....

OMG, it is teh cute! I dies of it!


Link:
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/objectid/O74994

The accompanying information is this:

Object

Purse

Date

1600-1650

Techniques

Walnut shell, covered in silk, embellished with metal thread, lined with silk, with plaited silk drawstrings

Artist/designer

Unknown

Place

England

Detail

T.57-1978 left; T.172-1921 right

Museum number

T.57-1978

Purses were associated with saving as well as spending, and this was sometimes alluded to in their decoration. Embroidered or beaded purses in the seventeenth century often included acorns in their pattern, an exhortation perhaps to 'save and prosper'. This early seventeenth century purse is made from a single nutshell, covered with embroidery and lined and hinged with silk. Barely large enough to contain a few coins, the purse was probably a novelty gift, but its maker may also have had the thought in mind that large oaks grow from tiny acorns.

Credit line

Given by Mr Peter Barker-Mill

(Emphasis mine)

I wish there was more information out there on these little guys. So far, I've found this:
http://www.employees.org/~cathy/walnut_purse.html

Dang, they're cute!


This one is definitely a shell. It's all scrimshaw-y 'n stuff. Also teh cute.

Link-y:
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/objectid/O78780

And the info:

Object

Purse

Date

1600-1630

Techniques

Mother-of-pearl, lined with brown silk, edged with plaited silk and silver-gilt thread, with a drawstring of the same

Artist/designer

Unknown

Place

England

Dimensions

Height 9 cm (including tassel at base)
Width 6.4 cm
Depth 3 cm

Museum number

T.197-1966

Object Type
In the 17th century, decorative purses such as this own were rarely used to carry money. Their wealthy owners engaged in few commercial exchanges requiring cash. In addition to serving as 'sweet bags' or 'gift wrapping', purses sometimes contained mirrors for grooming. Others functioned as sewing kits, holding needles, thread and tiny scissors.

Materials & Making
Mother-of-pearl, the iridescent lining of the shell of the pearl oyster, was considered an exotic material in the 17th century. It was used as an inlay for furniture and weapons, and carved into small objects such as jewellery, medallions, cameos or in this case, a purse. Here it has been incised in a floral pattern with two Tudor roses, a popular motif during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. Drilled around the edge of each shell is a series of holes, which allow it to be sewn to the silk lining of the purse. The drawstring of the purse is made of plaited silk, with a pearl-shaped tassel of silk and silver-gilt thread.
(Emphasis mine)



Link
http://test.huntmuseum.com/search_objects2.asp?oSearch=Currency

And the info:
Walnut purse
Fruit -- Nut -- Walnut, Textile -- Silk
H (max.) 2.7 x W (max.) 4.4
MG 139/126
Costume; Currency
A walnut shell with silk ties for closing and securing the two halves. Possibly French.
(Emphasis mine. Also, lame description.)