Chic and practical, the art of the purse
Variety of forms, materials and uses, the precious nature of these small treasure troves of daily life… an unprecedented exhibition on the history and art of the purse from antiquity to the present day.
The 11 Conti – Monnaie de Paris, as a creator of coins, naturally takes interest in ‘treasure troves’ which have fulfilled the role of containing money and sometimes various other objects throughout the ages. Features of everyday life and indicators of social status, purses, coin purses invite discussion surrounding societal life over the centuries, and more specifically the 19th century, as well as providing an illustration of ‘Parisian chic’.
Surprisingly, never in France has an entire exhibition been dedicated to purses. The aesthetic quality of these objects necessitates an approach which looks beyond their practicality. Henri Joannis-Deberne’s collection has never before been exhibited. Covering the period 1830 to 1930, it will be shown for the first time alongside purses on loan from French museums and from leather goods and jewellery houses. These objects date from the 20th century, a period when the purse, much like the handbag, became a fashion accessory of major contemporary brands.
Curators: Claudette Joannis, Béatrice Coullaré, Dominique Antérion / Scientific Advisor: Sylvie Juvénal