Help identify a coin purse--chainmail body, head, legs and tail of a rat

February 24, 2024 7:14 AM

It might be Victorian. picture of purse
posted by Nancy Lebovitz to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

It’s awesome. It dates c.1890-1910 or so, so late Victorian/ Edwardian. Looks like brass, I’d leave it unpolished, that mesh is a misery to polish.
There is also a pig variation, which sold at auction for I believe $1600.00 though I don’t know when.
As far as trying to find a maker or designer, I don’t know where you would even begin. I’ve never seen one in the wild in 40 years of vintage hunting or in my books.
So I guess this isn’t a very helpful answer, sorry!
posted by antiquated at 8:01 AM on February 24 [10 favorites]

Correction, it sold in 2013 for over $6000.00 according to my source.
posted by antiquated at 8:12 AM on February 24 [2 favorites]

I would drop a line to Monica McLaughlin of the Dearest newsletter (Substack) -- she writes very knowledgeably about unusual antique jewellery and other historical curios.
posted by Orkney Vole at 8:41 AM on February 24 [5 favorites]

Here is the piggy bag
posted by Orkney Vole at 8:43 AM on February 24 [1 favorite]

Here's a bat purse.
posted by plant or animal at 9:44 AM on February 24 [1 favorite]

Wow, whoever made it, it's beautiful.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:50 AM on February 24 [2 favorites]

Agreed. These are very fucking cool pieces
posted by Windopaene at 11:11 AM on February 24 [1 favorite]

No specific info, but I'll note that chainmail stayed in use as armor in India and Pakistan through the 19th century, and chainmail jewelry was also made there. I see the pig purse is noted as belonging to a countess of Burma and daughter of the viceroy of India. I'd guess at an origin in that region.
posted by agentofselection at 9:24 PM on February 24 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Antiquated and agentofselection, thank you very much.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 10:08 PM on February 24 [2 favorites]