Vintage Shell Coin Purse

These little coin purses used to be a very common sight. They are made of hand-polished sea shells and each one is unique. The edge of the shells are covered with a small brass frame, and with hinge and clasp made into a tiny purse. This one measures approximately 2" x 1-3/4" x 1-1/4" deep.

The second photograph of this little purse, isn't a great one to show the item itself - what I really wanted to try to show you was the "layers" of depth showing through in the shell. When the calcified outside layers are polished off, and the inside is left like this, the beauty is so intricate that it is almost hypnotic.... (and this is only a tiny little example of what these really can be!)

The hinge is a little bit loose, allowing slight side-to-side movement of the two shells when the purse is closed, otherwise though (and this otherwise is a very tiny otherwise) - this is in lovely collectible condition.

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