Ivory & Cream Reticule Purse with Lace

She soon believed herself to penetrate Mrs. Elton's thoughts, and ... she saw her with a sort of anxious parade of mystery fold up a letter which she had apparently been reading aloud to Miss Fairfax, and return it into the purple and gold reticule by her side...
-Emma
Jane Austen

This listing is for a handmade reticule featuring 100% cotton fabric in Countryside Cream, trimmed in hand applied lace. It is one of a kind and measures approximately 9 1/2" by 7". See second image for a glimpse of the interior, lined in ivory muslin.

Because the straight lines of Regency gowns did not provide room for pockets, women were forced to carry necessary items in small drawstring bags called reticules. Precursor to today's purse, the reticule provided a place to store important things (small parcels, spare change, the ever-present handkerchief, a small mirror, perhaps a snuffbox...all the rage at the time... or powder, smelling salts, and a love-letter or two) close at hand.