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Museum object · Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Rainbow beaded purse from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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.

Rainbow beaded purse from Mae's Millinery Shop. The purse is an oblong pouch covered in rainbow colored seed beads. Loops of beaded fringe hang from the bottom. The top of the pouch opens with a brass colored metal accordion mechanism made from a loop of hinged pieces that expand and contract to reveal the interior. A metal cap fits over the top when it is closed. A short metal chain is attached to the hinging mechanism. The interior of the bag is lined in white fabric. There are no labels.

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: 2016.48.52

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