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Desiree Rodrigez
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A handbag, commonly known as a purse in North American English, is a handled medium-
to-large bag used to carry personal items.It has also been called a pocketbook in parts of the
U.S.
== Terminology ==
The term "purse" originally referred to a small bag for holding coins.In many English-
speaking countries, it is still used to refer to a small money bag.A "handbag" is a larger
accessory that holds objects beyond currency, such as personal items.American English
typically uses the terms purse and handbag interchangeably.The term handbag began
appearing in the early 1900s.Initially, it was most often used to refer to men's hand-
luggage.Women's bags grew larger and more complex during this period, and the term was
attached to the accessory."Pocketbook" is another term for a woman's handbag that was
most commonly used in the United States in the mid-twentieth century.== Origin ==
=== Antiquity ===
During the ancient period bags were utilised to carry various items including flint, tools,
supplies, weapons and currency.Early examples of these bags have been uncovered in
Egyptian burial sites (c. 2686–2160 BCE) and were made of leather with two straps or
handles for carrying or suspending from a stick.The ancient Greeks made use of leather,
papyrus and linen purses known as byrsa to store coins, which is the etymological origin of
the English word "purse".The emergence of money further inspired the creation of
drawstring purses, most commonly hung from a belt or kept in clothing folds.A handbag
was discovered with the remains of Ötzi, who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC.Whilst one
of the earliest discoveries of an ornate leather purse came from Anglo-Saxon Britain, dated
circa 625 CE, revealed from the burial site of King Roewald in the mounds of Sutton Hoo in
Suffolk.Although the leather had deteriorated, its gold ornaments were still intact.Inside the
purse was forty gold coins and it was held in place by a gold belt buckle and golden hinged
straps.These features symbolised a display of opulence, making the purse part of a lavish
suite of possessions.=== Medieval period ===
The Courtauld bag, tentatively believed to have been made at Mosul in the early 1300s, is
thought to be the oldest surviving handbag in the world today.It likely belonged to an
Ilkhanate noblewoman.=== Modern Origin ===
Until the late 1700s, both men and women carried bags.Early modern Europeans wore
purses for one sole purpose: to carry coins.Purses were made of soft fabric or leather and
were worn by men as often as ladies; the Scottish sporran is a survival of this custom.In the
17th century, young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage; this also
helped them make very beautiful handbags.By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe
were moving towards a slender shape for these accessories, inspired by the silhouettes of
Ancient Greece and Rome.Women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in
appearance, so reticules were designed.Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and
velvet, carried with wrist straps.First becoming popular in France, they crossed over into
Britain, where they became known as "indispensables".Men, however, did not adopt the
trend.They used purses and pockets, which became popular in men's trousers.The modern
purse, clutch, pouch, or handbag came about in England during the Industrial Revolution, in
part due to the increase in travel by railway.In 1841 the Doncaster industrialist and
confectionery entrepreneur Samuel Parkinson (of butterscotch fame) ordered a set of
traveling cases and trunks and insisted on a traveling case or bag for his wife's particulars
after noticing that her purse was too small and made from a material that would not
withstand the journey.He stipulated that he wanted various handbags for his wife, varying
in size for different occasions, and asked that they be made from the same leather that was
being used for his cases and trunks to distinguish them from the then-familiar carpetbag
and other travelers' cloth bags used by members of the popular classes.H. J. Cave (London)
obliged and produced the first modern set of luxury handbags, as we would recognize them
today, including a clutch and a tote (called a "ladies traveling case").These are now on
display in the Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam.H. J. Cave did continue to sell and
advertise the handbags, but many critics said that women did not need them and that bags
of such size and heavy material would "break the backs of ladies".H. J. Cave ceased to
promote the bags after 1865, concentrating on trunks instead, although they continued to
make the odd handbag for royalty, celebrities or to celebrate special occasions, the Queen's
2012 Diamond Jubilee being the most recent.However, H.J.Cave resumed handbag
production in 2010.== 20th century ==
When handbags started to become popularized, they were heavily criticized as it was seen
as unfeminine.In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud argued that purses were sexually
suggestive as the structure of the purse symbolized female genitalia and sexuality.Before
handbags, pockets were secured inside of a woman's dress which held personal items and
retrieving items was done discreetly and modestly.Due to handbags being carried in the
open, the accessory exposed a woman's personal items.Freud compared women retrieving
items from their purse as a representation of masturbation.According to Freud's argument,
women who carried purses openly displayed their sexuality due to the sexual symbolism of
the purse.

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Desiree Rodrigez

A handbag, commonly known as a purse in North American English, is a handled medium-

=== Antiquity ===

suite of possessions.=== Medieval period ===

Ilkhanate noblewoman.=== Modern Origin ===

confectionery entrepreneur Samuel Parkinson (of butterscotch fame) ordered a set of

production in 2010.== 20th century ==

items from their purse as a representation of masturbation.According to Freud's argument,

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