Object under the microscope
The curious story of the Geldkatze
Have you ever heard the term Geldkatze — literally "money cat"? It refers to a type of coin purse known in English as a miser's purse. Where the German name comes from isn't entirely clear. From cat fur, which early versions were actually made of? From its shape, which some found reminiscent of a small cat's body? There's no way to say for certain — what is certain is that the word was especially common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Two Designs
So what exactly was a Geldkatze? It existed in two designs. The older one, in use since the Middle Ages, resembled a money belt. Merchants and travelers kept their money in it, safe from thieves. It can be regarded as the forerunner of today's travel belt with a hidden money compartment.
The second form looked rather different: a narrow, crocheted or knitted tube worn over the belt or waistband. Down the middle ran a lengthwise slit, over which a metal ring could be slid on either side. This kept the coins securely in place so nothing fell out. To pay, you pushed a ring to one side and reached through the slit for the money. The two ends were often designed in different colors or patterns, making it easier to tell gold and silver coins apart.
Fashion Meets Function
These purses reached the height of popularity during the Biedermeier period. They became fashionable accessories, made mostly by middle-class women, painstakingly handcrafted and often adorned with small glass beads. They were made either for personal use or as gifts. A handmade piece was at once a token of affection as well as a subtle sign of prosperity.
A Quiet Farewell
As paper money gained importance around the middle of the 19th century, the miser's purse gradually disappeared from everyday life. In its place came purses with flat compartments for banknotes.
Our collection preserves several particularly fine examples of these miser's purses. They tell of how people handled money in times past, and of how closely function, form, and fashion are intertwined.