Miser Bags

Foto from Beadwrangler.com

Well, I didn't know what miser bags were, so I did a search and here is what I found:

http://www.somewhereintime.tv/antiques/miser.html

and a crochet pattern for one:

http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/2005/08/miser-bag-pattern.html

Here are some beautiful examples of miser bags:

http://www.beadwrangler.com/gallery-cr.htm

Apparently, the purpose was to make it difficult to reach your money. Why, I don't quite understand, but, they *are* beautiful.