Purse, Change

Object ID
1994.41.16.A
Object Name
Purse, Change
Date Created
1900 – 1930
Material
Leather
Object Entities
Metevilis, Marina (is related to)
Balafas, Anna (is related to)
Balafas, Constanine (is related to)
Object Description
Small, brown leather change purse. Top portion has a perimeter of silver, where the change purse clasps, with two metal balls. The bottom portion of the change purse protrudes out slightly more than the top, presumably allowing more room for the things to be put inside. The inside looks as though it was made out of a tan suede of sorts, but over time it has worn down to reveal some sort of dark green/dark brown substance. This could possibly be the other side of leather beginning to stick through. There are three compartments on the inside of the change purse. Larger ones at each end, and then two additional flaps of suede supported by metal at the top, forming a slightly smaller, middle pocket for additional storage.
Origin
There are no makers marks to tell where the purse was made. A note paired with this change purse, and its matching male counterpart, says, "Coin purses early 1900's CA & Anna Balafas, Kansas City, MO & Wichita, KS". So, it is known that the purses were made in the early 1900's, and that the users were "CA" aka Constantine Apostolos Balafas and Anna Balafas, who were Marina (Balafas) Metevilis' parents. It is assumed that the two locations that were given are either the places that they were used, or one of the locations is where they were made, and the other location is where they were used.
Rights and Reproduction
The content on this site is made available for research and education purposes only. The use of these materials may be restricted by law or the donor.

Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Citation
Purse, Change, 1900 – 1930, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/9896. Accessed 04/16/24.