Bruidstas (buidel) van roomkleurige charmeuse en zijden crepe met treklint van satijn en versierd met oranjebloesem van was 1898

This is a wedding purse, or 'Bruidstas,' crafted from cream-colored charmeuse and silk crepe, with a satin drawstring and wax orange blossom embellishments. Think about the social customs surrounding marriage; it has historically been an economic transaction, especially for women. The very act of carrying a 'tas,' or bag, speaks to the exchange of goods and property that marriage has often represented. The use of delicate and luxurious materials—silk, satin—highlights a certain degree of affluence. Consider the orange blossom, traditionally a symbol of purity, innocence, and fertility. It is a loaded emblem that speaks to the expectations placed on women in the context of marriage. Does this purse reinforce the traditional role of women, or does it allow for some agency? What might a bride carry in this small, symbolic vessel? Perhaps it holds secrets, hopes, or even the seeds of future rebellions.