Beaded clutch-purse

This is a black beaded clutch-purse with petit-point bead embroidery on needlepoint canvas. It is decorated with white floral motifs and leaves. Two english characters “E.T.” were sewn on the purse, the initials of its maker and owner, Elsie Tan. In the early 20th century, Western-style clothing and materials like Europe-imported glass beads were incorporated into Peranakan fashion as an expression of their “modernity”.

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