Third quarter of 19th century

Long Purse

Contrasting thread colors were often used to distinguish the ends of miser’s purses, in addition to dissimilar end shapes (usually rounded or squared) or different tassels or fringes. Women’s magazines and fancywork guides frequently recommended a combination of these design elements. As one Godey’s Lady’s Book writer noted in the magazine’s October 1859 issue, different purse ends helped users retrieve contents “by any light, however dim.”