Display examines variety, love women have for their purses

Men think they only hold lipstick and wallets.

They have no idea.

When it comes to fashion accessories purses have quite the shelf life.

For many women, one of life's most essential items is the handbag. By whatever name it's called -- handbag, bag, purse, or old-fashioned pocketbook -- this object is not only one of the most indispensable but also one of the most meaningful and best loved.

The Arlington Heights Historical Museum is hosting a new exhibit called "Pocketbook Anthropology: A Treasure of Handbags."

"Purses go back to ancient Egyptian times," said Mickey Horndasch, the museum's curator. "As soon as man started wearing clothes, I'm sure there were purses."

She's right.

The first appearance of purses is on Egyptian hieroglyphics which show pouches worn around the waist.

The next appearance is in 14th century Europe. In Europe they often showed social status based on the embroidery and quality of the bag. At this time the purses were for women mainly and were therefore attached to their girdle.

In the 15th century both men and women wore purses, which were often finely embroidered or ornamented with gold. It was also customary for men to give their new brides purses embroidered with an illustration of a love story. Later in the century, women, now wearing finer dresses, preferred to wear their pouches under their skirts.

Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes came much later, in the 1950s.

The Arlington Heights exhibit takes a closer look at this uniquely significant item and explores the emotional attachment women have to their purses, as well as the cultural meanings of the object. Showcasing 70 purses from 1875 to the present day, visitors to the exhibit will have a chance to view handbags made from a myriad of different materials ranging from cigarette packs, silk, beads and precious metals.

There are funky bags, elegant bags, whimsical bags and utilitarian bags.

Most of the exhibit -- about 50 purses -- is part of a national exhibit. Another 20 or so are local purses people donated to the Arlington Heights museum, Horndasch said.

"Many of our purses are from residents who donated grandma's purse," she said. "We have a pretty nice collection."

Purses from the Historical Society's collection and the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America are also featured.

The "Pocketbook Anthropology" opened Feb. 9 and runs through April 27.

For more information contact the museum at (847) 255-1225 or visit the Web site ahmuseum.org.

If you go

What: Reception and program on overview of purses from 1850s through the 1930s.

When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday reception; 2 p.m. program

Where: Heritage Gallery, 112 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights

Cost: Free, but call for reservations

Exhibit: "Pocketbook Anthropology: A Treasure of Handbags" through April 27

Hours: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Fridays-Sundays excluding holidays

Call: (847) 255-1225