Purse frame

ID:

2003.50

Production date:

Late Medieval-Tudor; late 15th-early 16th century

Location:

In Store

Towards the end of the 1400s it became fashionable for rich men to wear large purses hanging from their belts. They were made of velvet or other expensive fabric fitted to fancy metal frames. This purse frame is inscribed with Christian prayers to protect the purse and its contents from loss or theft. The upper bar reads in Latin (wrongly spelt) 'AVE MARIA GACIE PLE', continuing on the back 'A DOMINV TECVM' - 'Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you'. The hinged frames are marked 'DEO HONOR ET [GLO]RIA' and 'LAVS TIBI SOLI' - 'Honour and glory to God' and 'Praise to you alone'.  < ...Read more

Towards the end of the 1400s it became fashionable for rich men to wear large purses hanging from their belts. They were made of velvet or other expensive fabric fitted to fancy metal frames. This purse frame is inscribed with Christian prayers to protect the purse and its contents from loss or theft. The upper bar reads in Latin (wrongly spelt) 'AVE MARIA GACIE PLE', continuing on the back 'A DOMINV TECVM' - 'Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you'. The hinged frames are marked 'DEO HONOR ET [GLO]RIA' and 'LAVS TIBI SOLI' - 'Honour and glory to God' and 'Praise to you alone'.

The metal frame is usually the only surviving part of a medieval purse. The leather or textile purse itself has usually disappeared, but monumental brasses and manuscript illustrations show how the parts fitted together and were attached to the owner's belt. < Hide

Measurements

H 155 mm; W 198 mm (overall)

Materials

copper alloy; brass

Last Updated

2023-11-28