Souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine with H.M.S. Renown badge

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c. 1920

Overview

Silver-toned, hardcase dance purse or chatelaine with a chain link strap and a finger suspension ring. It features a metal and enamel badge on the front depicting a flaming torch surrounded by a laurel wreath, surmounted by a naval crown, with a blue scroll ribbon at the base reading 'H.M.S. RENOWN'.
The purse is trapezoidal with curved, rounded corners and a slightly convex (puffed) surface. It has a long hinge along the bottom and a kiss-lock clasp (also known as a snap closure or ball clasp). One end of the chain is attached to each side of the open purse.
The suspension ring allowed a lady to secure the purse around her finger or attach it directly to a waist-hung chatelaine belt system during a ball or evening out.
The interior is lined with blue green fabric and has a central divider to organise small coins or dance cards.
There are no maker's marks.

Historical information

Souvenirs of this type were frequently produced to commemorate the ship's service or its high-profile royal tours. The battlecruiser H.M.S. Renown notably carried royalty on several international voyages during the 1920s, including visits to Australia and New Zealand.
Other items relating to this ship are held in the collection and include a needle book and souvenir buttons featuring the 'Digger Prince'.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01021

Item type

Accessories

Badges

Collectibles

Decorative Objects

Souvenirs

Themes

Leisure

Social History