The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-10

y
and assist still further to vary tho
styles. Tiny watches set in the skin ara
apretty fashion. Delicately formed and
enameled flowers, such as violets and
sweet peas, are fastened to the purse
cover by the stems and edges of the
petals, as IL held there by the hand
when the purse is carried. The silver
mountings have long been in use, but
some Of the designs this year are far
more elaborate than any heretofore
seen. Tho small silver corners have
grown slightly old-fashioned. In their
place the leather is either left perfect.
~ plain or is half covered with most
intricate and artistic device, which Is
gem OF the silversmith's art Jap
anese scenes and figures in queer, dull
colors, are perhaps more curious than
beautiful as leather adornments.
Chief among the smaller purses, in.
tended strictly for coin, are those close
~ interlinking chains, in silver, silver,
gilt and solid gold. They are of every
size and shape, and are the most fascin.
ating to look at and to handle of all
the purse family. The tops of some Of
these are solid lids Of the metal, which
shut down with snap or clasp
Sometimes they are as large as a silve.
dollar, in which case they are much like
the covers of bcubonnieres. But the
newest of them are much smaller, be,
ing scarcely greater in circumference
than a nickel five-cent piece. AS an
opening Of this size would not be large
enough for the passage of coins. the up.
per edge of the body of the purse is TT
ted with an ingenious spring arrange.
ment When this is spread apart, which
is done by. merely pushing with the
fingers, the aperture is about two
inches in diameter. When closed, il
measures not more than three-quarters
Of an inch across, and forms a kind OF
neck to the purse. The lid is then
snapped down, and the coins are secure,
ly imprisoned. A .favorite fancy in
these purses is to have an immense am.
ethyst, garnet or other eemi-precious
stone set in the cover. Sometimes
watch or medallion replaces the jewel.
In tho most luxurious purses the tops
are of dull-fnished. yellow gold, stud
ded thickly with diamonds and rbies,
These must be meant to be shown, yet
it would be a courageous woman who
would venture to carry one in her hand
on the street.
Side by side with the latest modern
contrivanccs there are revivals of the
quaint silk and bead purses which the
grandmOthers Of the present genera
ton delighted to make. These are usr.
ally capacious and in the form of a
double pouch. One which Is exhibited
prominently in a weIl-known shop has
a groundwork Of tiny red beads, upon
which prim, old-fashioned patterns in
green, yellow and white are embroid.
cred. The complicated system of rings
which must be manipulated in order
to open and close this pouch gives it the
additional charm of mystery. No one
could ever undo It in hurry, and il
seemed to exist as a protest from the
past against latter-9ay rushing meth
ods. Another representative Of by.
gone but beautiful style - a dainty
purse OF meteorological. Nothing
could be more delicate than the tlnts
of one Of these which was seen in a
jewelers. window recently. A fine
tracery Of gold fligree overran the
pearl surface and heightened the rich
effect Of the colors
Carved ivory is japanese notion for |
purse It has the two-fold merit Of |
being handsome and rare. Patterns in |
.t are exceedingly few and difficult to |
find. but when discovered they are well |
worth the pains. Two disks Of ivory.
perhaps 81, inches in diameter, form |
the sides Of one OF these purses. They |
are joined by folds of leather, which |
pull open like an accordion. disclosing |
a good-sized pocket for change within. |
On the yellow surface of the ivory the !
most sbsurdly natural-looking mon
keys are carved, with ali the we'll /
known japanese cunning and delicacy
of execution They have a deeper /
brownish tint than that Of the rest OF
the ivory. and stand out In moderately 1
high relisf--N. Y, Tribune