Wallet or stocking purses were very popular up to the 1860s, and they survive in great numbers, although examples of frame-knitted (machine) purses are rare. Many stocking purses were netted in silk and had steel beads, spangles and paillettes with steel, gilt, silver or gold sliders and tassels; their decoration varied from the minimal to highly patterned. Often they were inscribed and dated, many, like this one, were made as gifts for gentlemen.Beaded stocking purse, crocheted in blue silk and steel beads, inscribed Samuel Stockford, with two cut steel rings, tassel and fringe