Textiles. Brown leather coin purse with fold over flap at front with suitcase metal fastener.Inside fold out concertina spaces (four).textiles, domestic, ladies coin purse

Specific historical and contextual information pertaining to this object is unknown. There are no hallmarks or documentation to indicate provenance or historical significance. This coin purse appears to have a covering made of mother of pearl. Evidence of interest from over 20,000 years ago mark Aboriginal groups in Australia as some of the first people to value the power and beauty of pearlshell, while evidence of Australian pearlshell being taken across the sea to other countries dates back as early as the 1500s. The 1850s-60s saw the beginnings of the Australian pearling industry. Following the popularisation of plastic for items such as buttons the pearlshell market waned in the mid-twentieth century but was soon after began to re-forge in Australia with a new industry of cultured pearl farms. Most of Australian's pearling industry was initially located in Western Australia and off the Torres Strait Islands. The Australian War Memorial notes on their website that many tokens made from mother of pearl were sent home to loved ones throughout World Wars One and Two from the Middle East, England, the South West Pacific, Australia and elsewhere, but that unfortunately provenance such as the manufacture and sale of many of these items is not recorded.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A small rectangular purse with silver edging and half clasp, covered in white and cream coloured shell (mother of pearl?)A01154burke museum, social history, accessories, mother of pearl, nacre, australian industry

From the estate of Elsie Cooke who was the Orbost librarian for many years before 1940's. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert) Elsie Cooke was a well-respected Orbost identity. This item is an example of a fashionable accessory used by women in the first half of the 20th century.Small black velvet lady's change purse. Metal clasp and black holding string. Velvet has floral design. Purse has two coins inside - 1938 threepence (3d) and 1918 sixpence (6d) purse personal-effects money-containers

Textiles. Navy blue and red leather handbag. Body of handbag of navy leather with 2 cm diagonal strips of red leather across each corner front and bag. Side seams have red leather cord trim. Metal frame for opening covered in red leather with gold coloured metal trim on front with push clasp (5 cm x 1 cm) with blue leather trim. Opening tab on front. Inside lined with brown cotton fabric.Central swinging hinged coin purse and one gathered side pocket.Insde purse is a 9.5 cm lead pencil and a pen nib. Manufactured by MILADI HANDBAGS.Cloth label inside bag 'Miladi Handbags'textiles, domestic, ladies navy blue and red leather handbag

Textiles. Brown leather handbag with silver coloured metal frame with push clasp. Leather tab to open on front. Three vertical pin stripes on one side front and back. Leather loop on back (2cm x3 cm). Inside lined with brown fabric with swinging hinged coin purse and two gathered inside pockets. Matching brown leather coin purse with press-stud fastener. Stored inside handbag containing a 1938 fold out calendar -"It's Christmas" printed on front of calendar with candlestick and holly leaves.textiles, domestic, ladies brown leather handbag

Textiles. Brown suede ladies handbag with silver fittings and clasp. Trapezium shape. Inside coin purse is lined with leather. The handbag is lined with dark brown taffeta. There are two inner pockets of pleated fabric. Single suede strap attached to metal loops. Contents:- 1. Two sided bevelled edge mirror (8.9 cms X 6.4 cms).2. Pocket diary and calendar (1938). 3. Yellow painted grey lead pencil with removable silver cap. Printed in silver on side of pencil ''R430 Silver Fern, Made in Germany''.Label inside frame, ''Guarenteed First Quality''. ''A CB Bag''.textiles, domestic, ladies brown suede handbag