Note Type
DescriptionNote
Woman’s Evening Reticule (Drawstring Purse)
Late Victorian to Early Edwardian period, c. 1890–1910
Silk velvet, metallic thread embroidery, glass or paste stones, bullion fringe
This richly embellished woman’s evening reticule dates to the late Victorian or early Edwardian period and exemplifies the elaborate decorative accessories fashionable at the turn of the 20th century. The purse is constructed of deep blue silk velvet and features extensive hand-worked embroidery executed in metallic threads, forming raised geometric and floral motifs across the surface. Small green glass or paste stones are set within woven rosettes, adding sparkle and dimensional contrast to the velvet ground.
The bag is finished with a metallic bullion fringe along the lower edge and closes with a traditional drawstring cord, a common construction method for formal purses of this era. Velvet-covered spherical buttons serve as additional decorative elements, emphasizing the purse’s tactile richness and craftsmanship.
Designed to accompany evening dress and formal outerwear, such reticules were carried to theaters, social events, and formal gatherings. The purse remains in good condition for its age, with minor wear consistent with use and long-term preservation, and stands as a fine example of late 19th-century women’s accessory design and needlework.
