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

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

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW01021
Item type
Accessories
Badges
Collectibles
Decorative Objects
Souvenirs
Material
Enamels
Fabrics
Metal
Metal (silver-plated)
Width
72 mm
Height or length
140 mm
Depth
25 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On badge:

"H.M.S. RENOWN"

Year
Primary significance criteria
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Wednesday, 12 August, 2026
Completeness
94
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine with H.M.S. Renown badge
Souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine with H.M.S. Renown badge
Close up of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Close up of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Angled view of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Angled view of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Other angled view of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Other angled view of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Reverse of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Reverse of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
View from top of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
View from top of souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Side view of open souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Side view of open souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Top view of open souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine
Top view of open souvenir metal ladies dance purse or chatelaine

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