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Museum object · Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Bronze beaded purse used by Dinah Washington

1940s

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This bronze beaded clutch purse was used by Dinah Washington. The purse has rounded edges and is heavily beaded in a swirling design with bronze colored seed beads. The top side has a hinged opening that fastens with pressure clasp made from two rounded metal knobs each containing a large clear rhinestone. The purse is lined in brown silk satin and has one (1) interior side pocket. A cream label sewn below the pocket lining reads in orange embroidery: "Made in Belgium / by hand / WALBORG".

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2011.87.1

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