Anatolian Coin Purse in Coral, Green, and Cream Silks

A knitted coin purse in coral, green, and cream silks, worked together with gilt silver threads. It dates from the late nineteenth century, the Ottoman period in Turkey; the handiwork may be Armenian, Balkan, Greek, or Turkish, as the region's knitting traditions shared both technique and palette.

The purse measures approximately 100 x 120 mm (3.9 x 4.7 inches), and retains the loops and pull string at the top that drew its mouth closed to secure the coins within, an original detail rarely still present.

A worthy addition to any ethnographic textile collection.