. "Many decorative early 17th century bags survive, but it is not entirely certain how they were used and worn. They are too delicate and elaborate to serve as receptacles for money carried on one\u2019s person on a daily basis. Few commercial exchanges in the early 17th century required cash, and most household shopping was done by servants. However, they were used as a form of gift-wrapping for the presents of coin that were offered as a New Year\u2019s gifts to the monarch. \n\nThese embroidered bags may also be the \u2018sweet bags\u2019 frequently listed in inventories and offered as gifts. These held perfumed powder or dried flowers and herbs, and were perhaps applied to the nose like a pomander when necessary.\n\nThe rather simplified pattern of flowers worked in heavy silver and silver-gilt threads and dense texture of the embroidery on this example is characteristic of the period 1630 to 1650."@en . . .