Purse

Unknown

15th–16th century · Iron, leather · The Cloisters

Purses of various shapes and sizes, carried by both men and women, were given descriptive terms in medieval inventories, such as bourse or poche à compartement. In the fifteenth century, purses with clasps of metal and loops on the rear which could be attached directly to the belt superseded the pouches which closed with drawstrings and hung from the belt. The clasp no doubt came into use to provide greater security for money or other valuables when the owner walked on crowed city streets. This purse has two inside pockets and a concealed smaller section with two small openings hidden beneath the front flat.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th–16th century

Medium

Iron, leather

Culture

European

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1952