MEDIEVAL PURSE

1450

An incomplete cast copper alloy possible purse frame of Possible Late Medieval or Early Post-Medieval date (c. AD 1450 – c. AD 1520). Length 56.5mm and 5.0mm thick. Weight 10.03g.The object consists of a circular cross-section rod measuring 5.0mm in diameter with a large loop at one end and an old break at the opposite end. The loop at the end is circular in plan and has an outer diameter of 11.0mm and an inner diameter of 5.0mm. It is at a right angle to the rod. However, it was possibly straight and on the same alignment as the rod when originally made. The rod has two small integral attachment loops which are in the same plane. One of these loops is incomplete where the old break occurs. The object is mainly corroded. However, small areas of a mid-green patina have survived.It is possible that this object is part of a purse frame as it closely resembles a frame on an elaborate purse of iron as illustrated in the London Museum Medieval Catalogue (Ward Perkins 1940, 167, plate XXXVI).Ward Perkins (pp. 159-160) comments that:“Metal purse frames did not come into fashion until the very end of the medieval period… The earliest English representation of a medieval metal-framed purse would seem to be that on brass of John Browne, merchant, c. 1460, in All Saints, Stamford, but it is not until 1480 that they become common. From then on, until about 1520, they are, to the virtual exclusion of other types, a regular feature of civilian costume as shown on monumental brasses. After 1520 they occur only exceptionally, e.g. on the brass of John Cook in St. Mary-le-Crypt, Gloucester (1529) and on that of William Hyll at Solihull, Warwick (1549). A few metal purse-frames of a devolved type are to be seen on portraits of the third quarter of the 16th century; and the miniature purses carried by ladies of the 16th century at the end of a chain slung from the clasp of the belt seem often to have had metal frames. After this date, however, it apparently became unfashionable to carry a purse, for it is never shown in 17th century portraits…”