Four Good Chinese Purses, probably for holding perfume or spice, (Xiang Nang), late 19th or early 20th century, Qing Dynasty, the most ornate being the smallest, with gold and soft green metal threads worked on blue silk to one side and purple silk behind. Attached is a small leaf shaped panel of matching silks and threads. From each side hang long silk tassels, each bound at the top in silver and gold threads; next, a midnight blue silk draw thread purse embroidered both sides with a crane and auspicious symbols, fitted with four cream silk tassels bound with silver metal thread. This may well have been one of a pair and worn by a high ranking official, or royalty; another, woven in blues, cream and sage, the drawstring panel of dark purple silk, fitted with cords and a blue glass bead; finally a purse, in salmon pink bound in green, a compartment with flap to each side, all panels lightly embroidered. Lined in pale green glazed cotton.