Historical information

Created out of beaver fur, this handbag would have been quite rare and valuable. Not due to the design, this muff design was created repeatedly throughout the 1880s (typically, for the most fashionable, with matching dress cuffs and hat). However, this design was usually created with "beaver cloth", a wool made to resemble beaver fur, or, particularly in Australia, seal fur. Pure beaver fur was rare and quite prestigious, gaining such popularity in the 1700s that 80% of England's fur exports were beaver. But, on the flip side, becoming so popular they were overhunted to the point that, by the 1840s, the beaver fur trade was at a complete stand still.

Physical description

Brown beaver fur handbag and muff with satin lining and one internal pocket. Thick beaver fur rope handle attached with two circular d-rings. Metal frame and lockable clasp.