This envelope purse follows a western style of design. It is created from a panel of cotton canvas which is folded inward three times. The first two folding are made into separate flaps and the third is cut into the shape of the front flap. Coloured glass seed beads are sewn individually onto the fabric to form various floral and other decorative motifs. This technique is known as ‘petit-point beadwork’. Such form of bead embroidery required the use of a ‘pidangan’ (embroidery frame). This piece has decorative motifs of birds and roses set against a geometric background. It also has a narrow border of blue and white beads known as “tali ayer”, which is a Singaporean term. These purses had a more functional everyday use and could be used to store currency notes. They were usually small enough to be held comfortably in a person’s palm.
