Featured Help identify this little purse

At least I THINK it's a little purse? It belonged to my Husband's Great Grandmother, so we intend to keep it. Not sure what we'll do with it, but I think it's super cute. May be cute framed in a shadowbox??...

Anyway, it's very small and looks like it was crocheted? It measures 8 in including the top part and tassels. The square purse part itself measures 3 in X 3 in. The ring at the top appears to be celluloid The strange part is that when you open the flap, the strings that it hangs from help hold it together, and you pull it apart to get stuff in. And then when you pull the ring up, it cinches it up again. So, maybe to keep things in better?? I've never seen anything like it. Any info would be greatly appreciated!! (what it's called, what it's used for, etc.)

 

Crochet looks right.

Kind of small, but might qualify as a reticule. An all purpose drawstring carry bag for a lady.

 

There were two other crocheted items stored with this, and when I google reticules, I'm finding things JUST like them. So, this was stored with two other "reticules" so that might be right! Just a different type?

 

Could be. Maybe just for church (where you only need a hankie and your collection envelope?)

 

Are we looking at another ivory ring? @HippAntiques Is the ring solid or hollow? If you have the photographic capability, a closeup showing the surface clearly would help us.

 

It's so small, that it's hard to focus on. But, I tried my best! It's not super heavy feeling, but yet doesn't feel hollow either......

 

I see dirt and dust, but no Schreger lines,

 

You did fine.

Same here. Some artificial material. I thought Celluloid a possibility, but probably something else. Exactly what does not really matter.

 

I just think it's super cute! And being that it's an heirloom makes it better. I'm wondering if I should frame the 3 of them together in a shadowbox? I can post pics of the others if anyone is interested.

 

We're always interested in La Stuff.

 

Ok, so this is one of them. It's lined with a silky material. It's pretty small too, like the other one.

 

This is actually a little different. It's like a little basket, and has a roll of thread in it. Same size as the other. (It's actually an off white/ecru color- the lighting is making it look pinkish)

 

And, just a bonus.....this was also stored with them. I think it's a hair piece? I'm assuming it had some type of stick that went through the holes to hold it in the hair. Does this seem right?? Unfortunately it's missing one dangle in the middle. But it's pretty!

 

I'm wondering the first one isn't more "miser's purse" than reticule -- thinking the ring might be so it can hang on a belt.

 

And thank you all for sticking Sondheim in my head (I love him, but this is not my favorite song)

(sorry, tried to post the lyrics, but the two column format got hosed... just trust me that it's a song that says "reticule" a LOT. )

 

You could be right! I found this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vi...=183292926421381a46940826458cb227b95886550305

 

From Home Needlework Magazine, Volumes 14-15; Volumes 1912-1915
https://books.google.com/books?id=z...miser's ring bag&pg=PA395#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

I think yours is much more refined that the one I posted, but it gives an idea of at least one time when patterns were being published.

EDIT: But there's no evidence the ring was for hanging on a belt.

 

Yes it is for the hair. I have one with black stones. Mine has a wooden black stick but I still have to gather my hair with a band first then run the stick through the bottom of the band.

 

Absolutely! I wear my hair up a lot and that would be so much fun to wear!