Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; 14th - 15th century
Purse, purse frame
Purse frame (London Museum Type A5). The frame is complete: the bar and both loops survive. The central boss is square and has a loop for attachment to the owner's belt. The bar has six holes on the underside for stitching the fabric of the purse to the frame. 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.
