Bag for Game with Iron Mounts

Unknown

15th–16th century · Iron, velvet & silk · 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the fifteenth century, purses with clasps of metal and loops on the rear which could be attached directly to the belt superseded the pouches which closed with drawstrings and hung from the belt.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 crowded city streets. This velvet bag has a double pouch with an opening in the front section that still uses the older drawstring closure. The iron frame at the top is decorated with acorns, human heads, and lizards, some of which move to release catches for opening that frame.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th–16th century

Medium

Iron, velvet & silk

Culture

European

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1955