Clutch

Unknown

1940–59 · wool, straw, plastic · Costume Institute

During World War II, women on the home front wore red, white and blue garments as a means of showing support for the troops and the nation at war, but this jaunty clutch makes an even more obvious statement. A woman carrying this bag proudly advertised her patriotic sentiments. Probably a novelty item, the bag is comprised of a surprising and creative combination of materials -- straw, felt and plastic -- assembled to create a vivid symbol of American pride. The flag itself, which covers the entire oversized flap, has only forty-eight stars, an indication that the bag was made prior to 1959, when Alaska became the forty-ninth state.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1940–59

Medium

wool, straw, plastic

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Hollis K. Thayer, 1958