Reinvented Miser's Purse Necklace

Reinvented Miser's Purse NecklaceA magnificent 19th century Victorian misers purse cunningly transformed into a contemporary piece of wearable art. The original cut steel embellishments are in perfect condition and we have threaded an array of haematite and acrylic beads through the original crochet work so that the purse can still be used. These beautiful works of art became known as misers purses because their diminutive openings made it difficult to retrieve coins.

The mask hangs from a long necklace of big round beads in different colours and textures

I spent many hours creating a handbeaded collar out of tiny silver beads and then many more hours creating all the silver beads which form the 59cm long necklace along with vintage crystal beads which really catch the light

The mask hangs from a necklace of chunky beads in different colours and shapes

They hang from good quality gold-filled ear hooks

A pair of elegant carved bakelite earrings in the most heavenly soft bluey green and natural shades

1 Orange / Red Dots Bead + Red Shank

Kewpie is a brand of dolls and figurines that were conceived as comic strip characters by American cartoonist Rose O'Neill

I purchased a pair of brightly coloured  hairy slippers from  Marrakesh recently which seemed like a perfect place to start

and edged with gold beads

It seemed a shame not to try and give it a brand-new image so we attached it to a new backing with decorative threadwork and used tiny seed beads to embellish around the original brooch

Wear alone or add another shorter layering piece such as the chatelaine coin purse pictured here and which is available as a separate listing

On silver filled hooks