Regency Pineapple Purse

A very rare example of a knitted pineapple purse.

It is a tiny 3.5” long 2.25” wide.

The pattern for this purse, which is for a much larger size, did not come out until 1840.

I believe this example pre-dates that.

 The pineapple purse derives its name, not only because of the shape of the pineapple, but because a unique three-dimensional stitch that was needed to create the look of the fruit’s center.

 The pineapple of this age was a novel imported fruit, and by the time it got to be the table decoration, it may have looked more like these muted colors than the ripe yellow color we now associate with the fruit.

Collection of Vicki Schwager