Shell purse
Novelty coin purses made from mollusk shells.
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A shell purse is a type of coin purse made from whole or trimmed mollusk shells, particularly bivalves. These items were mainly novelty souvenirs, often engraved or painted with decorations, messages, or names. Many were further worked by grinding, polishing, or filing to expose mother of pearl or create patterns.
Quick Facts
- Earliest known use
- End of the 19th century
- Common materials
- Freshwater mussel shells
- abalone
- clams
- mussels
- limpets
- Typical liner
- Shark skin
- dyed red
- blue
- or green
- Common closure type
- Kissing clasp
Facts from the source article.
Origins
The use of shells as purses dates mainly from the end of the 19th century. This coincided with the Victorian love of nature and seashell collecting, along with the middle classes taking seaside holidays via newly built railways. Visitors sought souvenirs, and shell purses were among items produced by entrepreneurial shopkeepers.
Shell types and designs
Freshwater mussel shells were often used because their relatively large size could accommodate an interior accordion mechanism for separating coins. Shark skin, dyed red, blue, or green, was a common liner. Abalone, various clams, mussels, limpets, and other seashells were also used.
Identifying the exact species is often difficult, especially since the surface layer was frequently removed to expose mother of pearl or ground and polished for brighter colors. Some purses were attached to necklaces or had short chains making them miniature handbags. Modern examples are sometimes sold as 'Mermaid's Purses'.
Did You Know?
- Some shell purses were designed to hold items such as gold sovereigns, pills, keys, arrowheads, or children's milk teeth.
- Many surviving examples are in good condition, suggesting they were kept as ornaments or keepsakes rather than used regularly.
- Some shell purses were made with a kissing-type clasp for secure closure.
More in Mollusc Shells
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Shell purse (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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